Albert Illingworth, 1st Baron Illingworth

Albert Holden Illingworth, 1st Baron Illingworth PC (25 May 1865 – 23 January 1942), was a British businessman and Liberal politician. He served as Postmaster General between 1916 and 1921 in David Lloyd George's coalition government.

The Right Honourable The Lord Illingworth PC
Postmaster General
In office 10 December 1916 – 1 April 1921
Monarch	George V
Prime Minister	David Lloyd George
Preceded by	Jack Pease
Succeeded by	F. G. Kellaway
Personal details
Born	25 May 1865
Died	23 January 1942 (aged 76)
Nationality	British
Political party	Liberal
Spouse(s)	Annie Crothers ​ ​ (m. 1895; div. 1926)​ Margaret Wilberforce (1900-1986) ​ ​ (m. 1931; his death 1942)​

Background and education

Illingworth was the second son of Henry Illingworth, of Bradford, the member of an old Yorkshire family, and his wife Mary, daughter of Sir Isaac Holden, 1st Baronet. Percy Illingworth was his younger brother. He was educated at the London International College and became a partner in the family firm of Daniel Illingworth and Sons, spinners, and Chairman of Isaac Holden et Fils.[1]

Political career

In a 1915 by-election Illingworth was returned to Parliament for Heywood, a seat he held until the constituency was abolished in 1918,[1][2] and then sat for Heywood and Radcliffe until 1921.[1][2] He served under David Lloyd George as Postmaster General from 1916 to 1921[1] and was sworn of the Privy Council in 1916.[3] In 1921 he was raised to the peerage as Baron Illingworth, of Denton in the West Riding of the County of York.[4][1] The territorial designation derived from Denton Hall which he had purchased in 1920. However, the estate was sold already in 1925. Following his elevation to the peerage the Heywood and Radcliffe constituency was won in the subsequent by-election by the Labour candidate Walter Halls, a farm labourer employed by Illingworth.[5]

Family

Denton Hall, the estate purchased by Lord Illingworth in 1920.

Lord Illingworth married firstly Annie Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac Holden Crothers, in 1895. They had no children and were divorced in 1926. He married secondly Margaret Mary Clare, daughter of William Basil Wilberforce, in 1931. This marriage was also childless. Illingworth died in January 1942, aged 76, when the barony became extinct. His second wife died in 1986.[1]

Title and Styles

• Albert Holden Illingworth (1865-1915)
• Albert Holden Illingworth MP (1915-1916)
• Right Honourable Albert Holden Illingworth PC MP (1916-1921)
• Right Honourable The Lord Illingworth PC (1921-1942)

References

1. thepeerage.com Albert Holden Illingworth, 1st and last Baron Illingworth
2. "leighrayment.com House of Commons: Hertford to Honiton". Archived from the original on 11 February 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
3. "No. 29865". The London Gazette. 15 December 1916. p. 12225.
4. "No. 32352". The London Gazette. 10 June 1921. p. 4634.
5. "Farm Laborer Wins Seat Held By Peer Who Employs Him. W. Halls Elected to Commons by 305 Votes to Succeed Illingworth, Raised to Lords. Overturn For Coalition. Lloyd George Group Suffers Its Second Defeat at Polls in a Week. Opposition Still Divided. Its Lack of Cohesion Lessens the Significance of Attacks on Premier. Opposition Lacking in Unity. Farm Laborer Wins Seat Held By Peer. Farm Wage Cut Threatens". The New York Times. 10 June 1921. Retrieved 10 August 2008.

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Albert Illingworth
• Portraits of Lord Illingworth at the National Portrait Gallery, London
• Portraits of Annie Elizabeth, Lady Illingworth at the National Portrait Gallery, London
• Article on Margaret, Lady Illingworth