George Skirrow Beecroft

George Skirrow Beecroft (16 November 1809 – 18 March 1869)[1] was a British Conservative Party politician and ironmaster.

George Skirrow Beecroft
Member of Parliament for Leeds
In office 5 June 1857 – 17 November 1868 Serving with Edward Baines (1859–1868) Matthew Talbot Baines (1857–1859)
Preceded by	Robert Hall Matthew Talbot Baines
Succeeded by	Edward Baines Robert Meek Carter William St James Wheelhouse
Personal details
Born	16 November 1809 Outwood House, Horsforth
Died	18 March 1869 (aged 59) Regent's Park, London
Resting place	Kensal Green Cemetery
Nationality	British
Political party	Conservative
Spouse(s)	Septima Garland Butler ​ ​ (m. 1835; died 1837)​ Mary Isabella Beaumont ​ ​ (m. 1842)​
Parents	George Beecroft

Family

Born in 1809, Beecroft was the son of George Beecroft and Mary Audus. He first married his cousin Septima Garland Butler, daughter of Thomas Butler and Anne Beecroft in 1835.[2][3] Together, they had two children. The first died in infancy, and the second, Septima, died in 1868. His wife, Septima, died in 1837.[4]

In 1842, he married to Mary Isabella Beaumont, daughter of George Beaumont. Together, they had two children: George Audus Beaumont (1844–1873) and Mary Alice, who died in infancy.[4][2]

Early life

Beecroft was educated for a mercantile life at Horton House, in Bradford, until he was 17. He then moved into the iron trade, working with his father and uncle, Thomas Butler (senior), at Kirkstall Forge, eventually becoming a partner.[4]

In 1841, he entered into partnership with his cousins - John Octavius Butler, Thomas Butler (junior), and Ambrose Edward Butler - at Beecroft, Butler and Co, before retiring in 1855.[2][4]

Political career

Beecroft began his career as a member of the Leeds Town Council in 1849, holding office there until 1856. Outside of this, he was also President of the Leeds Conservative Association, a surveyor of highways, a churchwarden, and an active member of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce.[4]

He was elected a Liberal-Conservative - nominally a Conservative - MP for Leeds at a by-election in 1857 - with politics supporting the Church of England, encouraging popular education, and extending the franchise - and held the seat until he stood down at the 1868 general election, owing to ill health.[5][4]

Other activities

Beecroft was also a Justice of the Peace and Deputy Lieutenant of the West Riding of Yorkshire.[4]

References

1. Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "L" (part 1)
2. "George Skirrow Beecroft". Grace's Guide to British Industrial History. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
3. "Thomas Butler, Senior". Grace's Guide to British Industrial History. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
4. "George Skirrow Beecroft Esq". The Beecroft/Becraft/Bycraft/etc - Genealogy Page. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
5. Craig, F. W. S., ed. (1977). British Parliamentary Election Results 1832-1885 (e-book) (1st ed.). London: Macmillan Press. ISBN 978-1-349-02349-3.

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Mr George Beecroft