Background
The second son of Thomas Corbett, a Glasgow merchant and philanthropist, and Sarah (née Cameron), he was educated at home and at the Glasgow Academy.
The second son of Thomas Corbett, a Glasgow merchant and philanthropist, and Sarah (née Cameron), he was educated at home and at the Glasgow Academy.
On his return, he briefly studied sculpture in South Kensington and then managed his father"s estates in Essex which he bought from his uncle after his father"s death in 1880.
He became one of the principal developers of the eastern suburbs of London. An interest in philanthropy led him into politics and first contested North Warwickshire in 1884 at the age of 28. In August 1908 he crossed the floor of the House and rejoined the Liberal Party.
He held Glasgow Tradeston until his retirement from the House of Commons in 1911, when he was created 1st Baron Rowallan, of Rowallan in the County of Ayr.
23rd United Kingdom Parliament. 24th United Kingdom Parliament. 25th United Kingdom Parliament.
26th United Kingdom Parliament.
27th United Kingdom Parliament. 28th United Kingdom Parliament.
29th United Kingdom Parliament. 30th United Kingdom Parliament]
At the 1885 general election he was elected as Member of Parliament (Member of Parliament) for Glasgow Tradeston, first as a Liberal and from 1886 as a Liberal Unionist.