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Benjamin Armitage

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Armitage in 1880

Benjamin Armitage (1823 – 4 December 1899) was an English industrialist and Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1880 to 1886.

Armitage was the second son of Sir Elkanah Armitage, textile manufacturer, of Salford, and his wife Mary Bowers of Newton Heath. He was educated at Barton Hall School, Patricroft. He was a manufacturer at Manchester and in 1878 he was elected president of Manchester Chamber of Commerce. He was also a J. P. for Lancashire.[1]

In the 1880 general election, Armitage was elected as one of two members of parliament for Salford.[2] Under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, the Salford constituency was divided into three divisions, and Armitage was elected as the first MP for the new Salford West seat at the 1885 general election. A further election was held in 1886, and he was defeated by his Conservative opponent, Lees Knowles.[3]

Armitage did not re-enter parliament. In January 1899 he was awarded the freedom of the Borough of Salford.[4]

In 1856 he married Elizabeth Southam of Manchester. They made their home at Chomlea Bank, Pendleton.[2]

The value of his estate at death was £277,472 which is the equivalent of £43,634,025 today.[5][6]

References

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  1. ^ Debretts Guide to the House of Commons 1886
  2. ^ a b Biographies of Candidates, The Times, 25 November 1885, p. 6
  3. ^ Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Benjamin Armitage
  4. ^ "The 'freedom of the city of Salford'". Salford City Council. 2008. Archived from the original on 8 January 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2008.
  5. ^ "Wills". The Times. 23 January 1900. p. 12.
  6. ^ "£277,472 in 1900 → 2023 | UK Inflation Calculator".
[edit]
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Salford
18801885
With: Arthur Arnold
Constituency abolished
New constituency Member of Parliament for Salford West
18851886
Succeeded by