William Blamire

William Blamire (13 April 1790 – 12 January 1862)[1] was a British farmer, civil servant and Whig Party politician.

Background and education

Born to a Cumberland originated family at the The Oaks, he was the eldest son of the naval surgeon William Blamire.[2] His mother Jane was the third daughter of John Christian and sister of the politician John Christian Curwen.[2] The poetess and writer Susanna Blamire was his aunt.[3] Blamire was baptised in Dalston by the philosopher William Paley at that time vicar there.[2] He was first privateley educated at Carlisle and was admitted to Westminster School in 1805.[4] Three years later, he went then to Christ Church College, Oxford, graduating in 1811.[5]

Career

A farmer, Blamire was nominated High Sheriff of Cumberland in 1828.[6] He entered the British House of Commons in 1831, having been elected for Cumberland.[6] Blamire represented the constituency until its abolishment in the next year and then stood successfully for the new established East Cumberland.[6] Blamire resigned as Member of Parliament in 1836, when after the passing of the Tithe Commutation Act 1836 he was appointed the first Chief Tithe Commissioner.[7] The Commission reported in 1851 and triggered various new acts and reforms.[8] Blamire retired in 1860.[7]

Family

In 1834, Blamire married his cousin Dorothy.[9] She was the youngest daughter of John Taubman and the widow of Mark Wilks, who had governored Saint Helena during the time of Napoleon's exile there.[9] His wife died in 1857[10] and Blamire survived her for five years until 1862.[11] Few months later a prize with his name was endowed for achievements in agriculture.[12]

Notes

  1. Lonsdale (1867), p. 317
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Urban (1862), p. 470
  3. Maycock (2003), p. 97
  4. Lonsdale (1867), p. 211
  5. Lonsdale (1867), p. 212
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Walford (1860), p. 57
  7. 7.0 7.1 Urban (1862), p. 242
  8. Lonsdale (1867), p. 278
  9. 9.0 9.1 Burke (1862), p. 112
  10. Lonsdale (1867), p. 299
  11. Lonsdale (1867), p. 314
  12. Lonsdale (1867), p. 315

References

  • Burke, Sir Bernhard (1862). A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland. vol. I. London: Harrison.
  • Walford, Edward (1860). The County Families of the United Kingdom. London: Robert Hardwicke.
  • Maycock, Christopher Hugh (2003). A Passionate Poet: Susanna Blamire, 1747–94. London: Hypatia Publications. ISBN 1-872229-42-5.
  • Sylvanus, Urban (1862). The Gentleman's Magazine. part I. London: John Henry and James Parker.
  • Lonsdale, Henry (1867). The Worthies of Cumberland. vol. I. London: George Routledge and Sons.
Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Blamire, William". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.

External links

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Sir James Graham, Bt
John Lowther
Member of Parliament for Cumberland
1831 1832
With: Sir James Graham, Bt
Constituency abolished
New constituency Member of Parliament for East Cumberland
1832 1836
With: Sir James Graham, Bt
Succeeded by
Sir James Graham, Bt
William James