Arnold Muir Wilson

Arnold Muir Wilson (1857–1 October 1909) was a British solicitor and politician.

Arnold Muir WIlson, 1857-1909

Born in Sheffield, Wilson studied in Germany before becoming a solicitor based at Clifford's Inn. He built up a large practice in Sheffield, usually representing the defence at the Police Court, against Arthur Neal. He was a key figure in the formation of an Amateur Parliament in the city, and in 1883 he was elected to Sheffield City Council for the Conservative Party.^[1] He was also known as an early motorist and mountaineer.^[2]

In 1891, Wilson objected to an attack on him in the Sheffield Anarchist, and successfully sued its editor, John Creaghe, for libel. Although he won the case, no damages were awarded, as the judge believed that the newspaper could only inflict injury on those who read it.^[3]

In 1898, Wilson was appointed as an honorary consul for Serbia, and he attempted to use the position to promote British trade with the nation.^[4] In 1904, he travelled to Belgrade and worked with Frank Mottershaw to film the coronation of Peter I. This is the oldest surviving film shot in Serbia.^[5]

In the 1900s, Wilson became known for his outspoken attacks on well-known figures in Sheffield. Despite this, he stood for the Conservatives in Sheffield Attercliffe at the 1906 UK general election, taking 46.8% of the vote. In 1907, he began a trip around the world and did not return to England again.^[1] Despite this, he objected to the nomination of an alternative Conservative candidate in the Sheffield Attercliffe by-election, 1909, and ensure he was nominated as an independent Conservative. He took a strong fourth place, with 21.7% of the votes cast. He died later in 1909, in Vancouver.^[6]

Wilson's daughter became a prominent author under the pen-name Romer Wilson, while his great-nephew was the author and journalist Roger Redfern.^[2]

References

1. 1 2 J. H. Stainton, The Making of Sheffield 1865-1914
2. 1 2 Roger Redfern, "Country diary: South Yorkshire", The Guardian, 13 October 2009
3. ↑ (untitled article), Poverty Bay Herald, 22 October 1891, p.4
4. ↑ Slobodan G. Markovich, "Perceptions of Serbia and the Balkans in the British Press", p.108
5. ↑ Radenko Rankovic, "History of Serbian Cinematography"
6. ↑ "Labour wins a by-election", Feilding Star, 6 May 1909, p.3