Mary Camilla Lawson

Mary Camilla Lawson (c.1865 –28 November 1939), born Mary Camilla Macan, later Lady Lawson, was a British Liberal Party politician.

Lawson, circa 1922

Background
Wilfrid Lawson

She was born in Bedford as Mary Camilla Macan, fourth daughter of Turner Arthur Macan of Elstow Bedfordshire and Cariff County Armagh. On 28 April 1891, she married Wilfrid Lawson, heir to the Baronetcy of Brayton, Cumberland.[1] They honeymooned in Australia and then resided at Isel Hall, Cumberland. Their marriage did not produce children.[2] She became Lady Lawson in 1906 when her husband succeeded to the Baronetcy.

Political career

For many years she helped her father-in-law, Sir Wilfrid Lawson MP, in his North of England constituency. She did much work for temperance reform and was a member of the British Women's Temperance Association.[3] Lawson was Liberal candidate for the Bedford division of Bedfordshire at the 1922 General Election. She stood as an Asquith Liberal, in opposition to the sitting Liberal MP who was a supporter of the Lloyd George Coalition Government. Her intervention split the Liberal vote and helped the Unionist candidate take the seat. She did not stand for parliament again.[4]

Electoral record
General Election 1922: Bedford[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Richard Wells 13,460 50.3 n/a
National Liberal Frederick Kellaway 5,714 21.4 -38.3
Labour Arthur Sells 5,477 20.5 -19.8
Liberal Mary Camilla Lawson 2,075 7.8 n/a
Majority 7,746 28.9
Turnout 26,726 79.1
Unionist gain from National Liberal Swing

References
  1. Lawson, Sir Wilfrid, (21 Oct. 1862–28 Aug. 1937), MP (L) Cockermouth Division, Cumberland, 1910–16. WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO. Ed. Retrieved 29 Jan. 2019, from http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540891.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-212667.
  2. West Cumberland Times, 2 May 1891
  3. The Woman's Year Book, 1923
  4. British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1973, FWS Craig
  5. British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1973, FWS Craig
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