Sir Samuel Hill-Wood, 1st Baronet
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Major Sir Samuel Hill Hill-Wood, 1st Baronet (March 21, 1872–January 4, 1949), born Samuel Hill Wood, was a British businessman, Member of Parliament, cricketer and football club chairman. He changed his name by royal licence in 1912.
Born in Glossop, Samuel Hill Wood was educated at Eton College and made his fortune in the cotton industry in Derbyshire during the late 19th century and early 20th century. He married the Hon Rachel Bateman-Hanbury in 1899 and had four sons Basil, Wilfred, Denis and Charles.
A keen sportsman, he played cricket for Derbyshire, and was chairman and owner of Glossop North End up until World War I. He was also Conservative MP for High Peak, Derbyshire, from 1910 to 1929. He served in the Cheshire Regiment in the First World War, reaching the rank of Major.
In 1929, he succeeded the disgraced Henry Norris as chairman of Arsenal, and presided over the club during its first period of success in the 1930s. He stepped down in 1936 but returned to the role after the Second World War, holding the post until his death in 1949. His son Denis Hill-Wood, and grandson Peter Hill-Wood have also served as chairmen of Arsenal, while his sons, Denis, Charles, Wilfred and Basil Hill-Wood, and brother-in-law David Brand, have all played county cricket for Derbyshire at various points in their history.
He was created a baronet in the 1921 New Year Honours.
Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
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Preceded by Oswald Partington |
Member of Parliament for High Peak 1910–1929 |
Succeeded by Alfred Joseph Law |
Baronetage of the United Kingdom | ||
Preceded by New creation |
Baronet (of Moorfield) 1921 – 1929 |
Succeeded by Basil Samuel Hill-Wood |
Business positions | ||
Preceded by Sir Henry Norris |
Arsenal chairman 1929–1936 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Lonsdale |
Preceded by Viscount Castlereagh |
Arsenal chairman 1946–1949 |
Succeeded by Sir Bracewell Smith |