John Hamilton Wedgwood

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sir John Hamilton Wedgwood, 2nd Baronet TD (16 November 1907 - 9 December 1989), British Industrialist and Politician of John Wedgwood & Sons Ltd.

[edit] Biography

Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Wedgwood was the son of Sir Ralph Wedgwood, 1st Baronet and his wife Iris Veronica Pawson, daughter of Albert Henry Pawson. He was a great-great-great-grandson of the master potter Josiah Wedgwood. His younger sister was the historian C.V. Wedgwood. He was educated at Winchester College, at Trinity College, Cambridge and in Europe, where he learnt several languages.

He married Diane Hawkshaw in 1933. She was the daughter of Oliver Hawkshaw, the granddaughter of Cecily Mary Wedgwood, and the great-granddaughter of Francis Wedgwood (1800-1888). He was the son of Ralph Wedgwood, grandson of Clement Wedgwood and grandson of Francis Wedgwood (1800-1888). This meant that they were his first cousins once removed.

He joined the family pottery firm in 1931 and was appointed Deputy Chairman in 1955. He worked as a travelling salesman and representative of the firm, a role which took him across the globe.

During the Second World War he served as a Military Intelligence Staff Officer in the Arctic and in Italy. In 1948 he rejoined the Territorial Army and became the 2nd in command of the North Staffordshire Regiment.

His uncle Josiah Wedgwood, 1st Baron Wedgwood had been a Liberal and Labour politician and cabinet minister. John Wedgwood stood for the Liberals at the 1945 election, but was not elected. He then deserted the Liberals to become the Conservative Party's candidate for Leek, but was not elected there either. He did however serve as magistrate for Stone, Staffordshire.

Wedgwood had a love for outdoor pursuits, particularly cave diving and mountain climbing. He was a life vice president of the British Sub Aqua Club.

He inherited the title of Baronet Wedgwood on the death of his father on 5 September 1956. On his own death in 1989 the Baronetcy passed to his son and the 3rd and present baronet Martin Wedgwood (born 1933).