Peter Griggs

Sir William Peter Griggs (1 November 1849 – 11 August 1920) was an English Member of Parliament for Ilford in north-east London.[1]

Sir William Peter Griggs MP
Member of the United Kingdom Parliament for Ilford
In office 14 December 1918 – 11 August 1920
Succeeded by	Fredric Wise
Personal details
Born	1 November 1849 Bethnal Green, London, England
Died	11 August 1920 (aged 70) Ilford, London, England
Nationality	British
Political party	Coalition Conservative
Spouse(s)	Georgina
Residence	Ilford
Occupation	Lighterman then builder and developer

Early life

Born at 123 Brick Lane in Bethnal Green, London, Griggs was 7 when he lost his father. He saved enough money to buy a barge which he operated along the Thames.[1] Griggs was later involved in building development in Ilford and Upminster[1]

Politics

Griggs entered local politics in 1899 when he was elected to Ilford District Council, becoming the chairman in 1910.[1] Since 1901, he had also been an Alderman of Essex County Council.[1] Griggs stood for Parliament in 1910 in the Romford constituency but failed to win the seat.[1] Griggs was successful at his next attempt during the 1918 General Election for the newly formed Ilford constituency with a majority of 11,249.[1] He was knighted in 1916.[2]

In 1920, he died at his home in Ilford after a long illness.[1] This created a by-election which was won by fellow Coalition Conservative Fredric Wise.[3] There is a memorial window dedicated by his widow Lady Georgina Spriggs at Trinity United Reformed Church, Upminster.

References

1. "Sir Peter Griggs, M.P.". Obituaries. The Times (42487). London. 12 August 1920. col F, p. 13.
2. "No. 29671". The London Gazette. 17 July 1916. p. 7093.
3. "Ilford Retained - Large Coalition Majority". News. The Times (42537). London. 9 October 1920. col F, p. 10.

• Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs