Joseph Leigh

Sir Joseph Leigh (1841 – 22 September 1908), was a British Liberal Party politician and Cotton spinner.

Background

He was the eldest son of Thomas Leigh, cotton spinner at Meadow Mill in Stockport. He was educated at Stockport Grammar School. He married in 1868, Alice Ann Adamson. They had four sons and two daughters. He was knighted in 1894. He was also made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, in France.[1]

Civic career

He was a member, latterly an Alderman of the Borough of Stockport Council for 29 years. He served as the borough's Mayor from 1885 to 1889. He also served as a Justice of the Peace for Cheshire and Stockport. He was made an Honourable Freeman of the Borough of Stockport. He was Chairman and promoter of Stockport Technical School. He was a Director of the Manchester Ship Canal.[2]

Political career

At parliamentary elections he contested, as a Liberal party candidate, the dual member seat of Stockport in 1885, 1886, 1892, 1895 and 1900. He sat as Liberal MP for Stockport from 1892 to 1895 and from 1900 to 1906.

General election 1900 Stockport[3] Electorate 12,386
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Sir Joseph Leigh 5,666 26.5 +1.8
Conservative Beresford Valentine Melville 5,377 25.2 -0.2
Liberal G Green 5,200 24.4 +1.6
Conservative Dr A P Hillier 5,098 23.9 -3.2
Turnout 87.6 -3.8
Majority 568 2.6
Majority 177 0.8
Conservative hold Swing
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing

He stood down at the General Election of January 1906. He did not stand for parliament again.[4]

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Sydney Gedge		 Member of Parliament for Stockport
1892 – January 1895
With: Louis John Jennings then George Whiteley		 Succeeded by
Beresford Valentine Melville
Preceded by
George Whiteley		 Member of Parliament for Stockport
1900 – January 1906
With: Beresford Valentine Melville		 Succeeded by
James Duckworth

References
  1. Debrett's House of Commons 1901.
  2. Debrett's House of Commons 1901.
  3. British parliamentary election results 1885-1918, Craig, F. W. S.
  4. British parliamentary election results 1885-1918, Craig, F. W. S.
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