Thomas Bayley Potter DL, JP (29 November 1817 – 6 November 1898)[1] was a British Liberal Party politician.
Born in Polefield, Lancashire, he was the son of Sir Thomas Potter and his wife Esther Bayley, daughter of Thomas Bayley.[2] Potter was educated at Rugby School and then at University College, London.[3] He was the founder and president of the Union and Emancipation Society.[3] In 1865, Potter entered the British House of Commons and sat as Member of Parliament (MP) for Rochdale until 1895.[1] He was a Justice of the Peace for Manchester and Lancashire, and for the latter also Deputy Lieutenant.[3]
He married firstly Mary Ashton, daughter of Samuel Ashton at the Unitarian Chapel of Gee Cross on 5 February 1846.[4] She died in 1885 and Potter married secondly Helena Hicks, daughter of John Hicks at St Paul's Church, Lambeth, Surrey on 10 March 1887.[2] Potter had four sons and a daughter by his first wife.[2] He died, aged 80 in The Hurst, Sussex and was buried in Heyshott four days later.[2]
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Richard Cobden |
Member of Parliament for Rochdale 1865 – 1895 |
Succeeded by Clement Royds |