Richard Fothergill

Richard Fothergill (8 November 1822 – 24 June 1903) was an English ironmaster and coal-owner in Wales and a Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1868 to 1880.

Fothergill was the son of Richard Fothergill of Lowbridge House, near Kendal and his wife Charlotte Elderton, daughter of Charles Elderton, Esq. He was educated at the Military Academy, Edinburgh.^[1] He succeeded his uncle Rowland Fothergill as manager, of the Aberdare iron-works and was later their proprietor. During this period a campaign was conducted against the company for their alleged support of the truck system. The campaign was led by Thomas Price of Calfaria, Aberdare, although ironically he and Fothergill soon buried their differences and became allies in the world of local politics.^[2]

In 1854 he was elected on the first Aberdare Local Board of Health and soon became its chairman. In 1857, however, Fothergill was prosecuted for alleged misconduct during the Board of Health election. The case was dismissed by the Police Court on the basis that intent could not be proved^[3] As a result of this episode, Fothergill temporarily retired from public life although the episode served to strengthen the alliance between Fothergill and the powerful nonconformist minister, Thomas Price, who had been a fellow candidate at the election.^[4]

In 1862 he acquired the Plymouth works near Merthyr where he developed the business significantly by introducing the hot-blast system . He also acquired the Penydarren works, and thus acquired at Merthyr almost as much prestige and popularity there as he had at Aberdare.^[5] He became J.P. and Deputy Lieutenant for Glamorgan and a J.P. for Pembrokeshire.^[1]

At the 1868 general election Fothergill sought election as a second member for the newly expanded Merthyr Tydfil constituency. He was elected Member of Parliament for Merthyr Tydfil. He held the seat until 1880.^[6] In parliament he was a strong advocate for South Wales coal for use by the navy. In 1869, he was one of the original members of the Iron and Steel Institute, and in 1871 he became a member of its council.^[5]

By 1879, Fothergill was in financial difficulties and there were calls for him to step aside. A deputation of tradesmen and working men who attended a meeting at Swansea to request to offer himself once again as a candidate but he eventually declined.^[7]

Fothergill built a mansion and gardens at Aber-nant which is known as "Fothergill's Park" and which has since been the home of St Michael's College and the Aberdare hospital. He retired to Tenby where he died at the age of 80.^[5]

Fothergill married firstly in 1848, Elizabeth Lewis daughter of Edward Lewis. She died in 1849 and he married secondly in 1850, Mary Roden, daughter of William Roden.^[1]

References

Bibliography

• Jones, Ieuan Gwynedd (1964). "Dr. Thomas Price and the election of 1868 in Merthyr Tydfil : a study in nonconformist politics (Part One)". Welsh History Review 2 (2): 147–172. 

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Richard Fothergill