Background
He was born in Nelson, the eldest son of Sir Dillon Bell. His mother was Margaret Horticulture (who was Jewish, but became a Christian).
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Francis Bell
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He attended Auckland Grammar School and Otago Boys" High School. After finishing high school, he travelled to England where he attended Street John"s College, Cambridge, receiving a Bachelor in 1873.
Career
Bell is one three New Zealand Prime Ministers of Jewish extraction, the others being Julius Vogel and current Prime Minister John Key. At Otago Boys he was the Dux. On returning to New Zealand, he began practising law in Wellington, being involved in Bell, Gully, MacKenzie and Evans.
He played two first-class cricket matches for Wellington in the 1870s before giving up cricket for politics.
He served as Crown Solicitor in Wellington from 1878 to 1890, and from 1902 to 1910. He served as the latter"s President from 1901 to 1918.
She was the third daughter of William Robinson. His political career began with being elected Mayor of Wellington in 1891, 1892 and 1896.
In his first general election in 1890, he was defeated running as an independent for the City of Wellington electorate.
He was narrowly defeated by William McLean in an 1892 by-election by 3388 votes to 3245. He finally entered Parliament in the 1893 election, serving for one term. In 1912, the Reform Party came to power, and on 10 July 1912 Bell was appointed to the Legislative Council.
He became Minister of Internal Affairs (1912–1915), and Minister of Immigration (1912–1920).
He was Attorney-General (1918–1926). He was the first Commissioner of State Forests, and from 1923 he would also serve as the Minister of External Affairs.
He represented New Zealand at the League of Nations in 1922. He would also attend the allied conferences at Genoa and the Hague.
On returning to New Zealand, Bell became Acting Prime Minister while William Massey was in London.
Massey"s health began to fail, and Bell took over most control of the government. He officially became Prime Minister on 14 May 1925 after the death of Massey on 10 May. He would serve as Prime Minister for the next 16 days.
Bell declined the party"s offer to become Prime Minister and was replaced by Gordon Coates.
After giving up his portfolios in 1926, he returned to the League of Nations with Coates. In 1935, he was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Meda
He died in Wellington on 13 March 1936.
Achievements
Membership
He was a prominent member of both the local and national law societies. Another son Cheviot Wellington Dillon Bell was appointed to the Legislative Council as a member of the suicide squad by the First National Government on 27 July 1950 to vote for the abolition of the Council, so served to 31 December 1950.
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Born
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Died
March 13, 1936 (aged 84) -
Nationality
New Zealand -
Political Party
New Zealand Reform Party
Education
Awards
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Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George Order of St Michael and St George; King George V Silver Jubilee Medal; Grand Cross
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later King George IV, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, King George III.The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later King George IV, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, King George III.