Samuel Beale Explained

Samuel Beale
Office:Member of Parliament
for Derby
Term Start:28 March 1857
Term End:12 July 1865
Alongside:Michael Thomas Bass
Predecessor:Michael Thomas Bass
Lawrence Heyworth
Successor:Michael Thomas Bass
William Thomas Cox
Birth Date:4 June 1803
Birth Place:Birmingham, England
Nationality:British
Party:Liberal
Parents:William Beale
Sarah

Samuel Beale (4 June 1803 – 11 September 1874) was a British Liberal Party politician, banker and industrialist.[1]

Early life

Beale was born in Birmingham in 1803 to William and Sarah and, in 1823, married Emma Butcher, daughter of Unitarian minister Edmund Butcher. At some point this marriage ended, and he remarried to a Mary. He had at least two sons, William Lansdowne (born 1828–29) and Arthur, and two daughters.[1] He was also the uncle of William Beale, a barrister and fellow Liberal politician.[2]

In early life he was a glass and lead merchant before, in 1836, founded the Birmingham and Midland Bank.[1] He also became Director of Union Bank UK.[3]

In 1844, he became Chairman of the Midland Railway, a post he held for 20 years, and in 1849 a Justice of the Peace for Birmingham. In 1853, he was an ironmaster and partner in the Park Gate Iron and Steel Company.[1]

Political career

Beale started his career in politics in 1841 when he was appointed Mayor of Birmingham, and became one of the town's first councillors.[1]

Beale was elected MP for Derby in 1857 and held the seat until 1865.[4]

Unitarian activities

Beale was an active unitarian follower, becoming a Member of Church of the Messiah, Birmingham and vice-president of the British and Foreign Unitarian Association. During the 1857 general election, which he was contending, Beale attended a service despite being warned that he would lose if he did so.[3]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Samuel Beale. Grace's Guide to British Industrial History. 6 February 2018.
  2. Andrew Rowley, Beale family in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, OUP online, 2004–12
  3. Web site: Transactions of the Unitarian Historical Society Supplement. Unitarian History. 6 February 2018. 5. April 2009.
  4. Book: Craig. F. W. S.. F. W. S. Craig. British Parliamentary Election Results 1832–1885. 1977. Macmillan Press. London. 978-1-349-02349-3. 1st .