Alfred Illingworth (25 September 1827–1907), was an English worsted spinner and Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons in two periods between 1868 and 1895.
Illingworth was born at Bradford, Yorkshire, the son of Daniel Illingworth and his wife Elizabeth Hill.[1] He was educated at Huddersfield College[1] and entered the family worsted spinning business of D Illingworth & Sons at the age of 16. In 1865, with his brother Henry, he established the Whetley Mills, one of the largest factories in Bradford.[2] He was also a director of the Bradford District Bank.[1] He had strong non-conformist and free trade views and entered into politics.[2]
At the 1868 general election, Illingworth was elected MP for Knaresborough, but lost the seat in 1874.[3] He was then elected at Bradford at the 1880 general election until the constituency was reorganised under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885.[4] At the 1885 general election he was elected for Bradford West and held the seat until 1895.
Illingworth married Margaret Holden, daughter of Sir Isaac Holden, 1st Baronet in 1863 and his brother Henry married another daughter of Holden creating a strong alliance of two of the dominant Bradford families of the time. Henry was the father of Percy Illingworth and Albert Illingworth who were also active in politics in Yorkshire.[2]
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Basil Thomas Woodd and Isaac Holden |
Member of Parliament for Knaresborough 1868–1874 |
Succeeded by Basil Thomas Woodd |
| Preceded by Henry William Ripley and William Edward Forster |
Member of Parliament for Bradford 1880–1885 With: William Edward Forster |
Constituency divided |
| New constituency | Member of Parliament for Bradford West 1885–1895 |
Succeeded by Ernest Flower |