Joseph Leese

Sir Joseph Francis Leese, 1st Baronet, KC (28 February 1845 – 29 July 1914)[1] was a British judge, Liberal politician and first-class cricketer.

Sir Joseph Leese

Background

He was born the son of cotton-spinner Joseph Leese of Altrincham, Greater Manchester. He was educated at Regent's Park College, then in London and associated with London University and gained a Bachelor of Arts from London University in 1863.[2] He briefly attended the University of Cambridge.[3]

He married in 1867, Mary Constance Hargreaves. They had six sons and two daughters.[4]

He qualified as a barrister and was admitted to the Inner Temple in 1868. He was invested as a Queen's Counsel in 1891. He was appointed Recorder of Manchester in 1893, serving until 1914. He became a Bencher at the Inner Temple in 1898.[4]

Political career

He first stood as a Liberal candidate for Preston in 1868;

General election 1868: Preston (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Edward Hermon 5,803
Conservative Sir Thomas G Hesketh 5,700
Liberal Joseph Francis Leese 4,741
Liberal Lord E. G. F. Howard 4,663

He next stood as Liberal candidate for Accrington in 1886, coming second. He was elected at the 1892 General Election, gaining the seat from the Conservative. He served as the Member of Parliament for Accrington from 1892 to 1910. While an MP he voted in favour of the 1908 Women's Enfranchisement Bill.[5] He retired from parliament at the January 1910 General Election.

Cricket career

He played first-class cricket for Lancashire County Cricket Club from 1865 to 1881. He played 25 first-class matches as a batsman but only averaged 13 runs per innings. He occasionally bowled, taking 5 wickets in his career at an average of 19.[6]

Later life

He was knighted in the 1895 Birthday Honours and was created a Baronet on 15 July 1908. He died at Sutton Park, Guildford, Surrey in 1914. On his death, his baronetcy passed to his son, William Hargreaves Leese.[4]

References
  1. Lundy, Darryl (9 July 2007). "Sir Joseph Francis Leese, 1st Bt". The Peerage.com. Retrieved 14 October 2009.
  2. http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/bq/09-3_139.pdf
  3. "Leese, Joseph Francis (LS864JF)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  4. http://www.ukwhoswho.com
  5. http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1908/feb/28/womens-enfranchisement-bill-1
  6. "Joseph Leese". Cricinfo. 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2009.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Robert Hermon-Hodge		 Member of Parliament for Accrington
1892–January 1910		 Succeeded by
Harold Baker
Baronetage of the United Kingdom
New creation Baronet
(of Send Holme)
1908–1914		 Succeeded by
William Lease
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