[1st Bart.]. British politician, born in London on the 2nd of December 1850. He was educated at Winchester, and afterwards adopted a City career. He entered the Stock Exchange, and subsequently figured in various capacities as a director of companies. He successfully contested Peckham as a Conservative in 1892, and established his reputation in the House of Commons as a constant critic on business matters and also as an expert in parliamentary procedure. In 1902 he was created a baronet. He lost his seat in the general election of 1906, but was elected a few months later as one of the members for the City of London (re-elected 1918). In 1916 he was created a privy councillor, and in 1917 became chairman of the Great Northern railway.
