Sir William Somerville (1802-1873)

Sir William Somerville (1802-1873) was a British politician who served as the Member of Parliament for several constituencies, including Wells and North Devon. He was a member of the Whig Party and later the Liberal Party, and was known for his support of Free Trade and his opposition to the Corn Laws. Somerville was also a strong advocate for the Reform Act of 1832, which aimed to reform the British electoral system and increase representation for the growing middle class in cities like Manchester and Birmingham. He was influenced by the ideas of Adam Smith, David Ricardo, and Jeremy Bentham, and was a close friend and ally of Lord John Russell and Lord Palmerston.

● Early Life and Education

Sir William Somerville was born in 1802 to a family of Scottish nobility, and was educated at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford. He was a contemporary of Lord Macaulay and Lord Melbourne at Oxford, and was heavily influenced by the Oxford Movement and the ideas of John Henry Newman and Edward Pusey. Somerville was also a member of the Athenaeum Club and the Reform Club, where he mingled with other prominent politicians and thinkers, including Charles Dickens, William Makepeace Thackeray, and Thomas Babington Macaulay. He developed a strong interest in Classical antiquity and European history, and was particularly drawn to the works of Edward Gibbon and Thomas Carlyle.

● Career

Somerville's career in politics began in the 1830s, when he was elected as the Member of Parliament for Wells. He quickly established himself as a strong advocate for Liberalism and Reform, and was a key supporter of the Reform Act of 1832. He also played a significant role in the passage of the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, which abolished slavery throughout the British Empire. Somerville was a close friend and ally of Lord John Russell and Lord Palmerston, and worked closely with them to promote the interests of the Liberal Party. He was also a strong supporter of Free Trade and was influenced by the ideas of Richard Cobden and John Bright, who were leading figures in the Anti-Corn Law League.

● Personal Life

Somerville was married to Mary Greig, the daughter of a wealthy Scottish merchant, and had several children with her. He was a member of the Church of England and was known for his strong Christian faith. Somerville was also a talented horticulturist and was particularly interested in the cultivation of Roses and Orchids. He was a member of the Royal Horticultural Society and was friends with other prominent horticulturists, including Joseph Paxton and John Lindley. Somerville was also a strong supporter of the Arts and was a patron of the Royal Academy of Arts and the National Gallery.

● Later Life and Legacy

In his later years, Somerville continued to be involved in politics and was a strong supporter of the Liberal Party. He was a close friend and ally of William Ewart Gladstone and Lord Rosebery, and worked closely with them to promote the interests of the party. Somerville was also a strong advocate for Home Rule for Ireland and was influenced by the ideas of Isaac Butt and Charles Stewart Parnell. He died in 1873, at the age of 71, and was remembered as a dedicated public servant and a strong advocate for Liberalism and Reform. Somerville's legacy can be seen in the work of later politicians, including David Lloyd George and Winston Churchill, who were both influenced by his ideas and his commitment to public service. He is also remembered as a talented horticulturist and a patron of the Arts, and his contributions to these fields continue to be celebrated today. Category:British politicians