Frederick William WILSON, British Member of Parliament.
Background
WILSON, Frederick William was born on March 26, 1844 in Seaming, Norfolk. 2nd son of William Wilson, Manor House, Seaming, a Liberal tenant farmer, and one of the founders and directors of the Norfolk News, which for many years led the Reform party in Norfolk.
Education
Studied at Wymondham Grammar School. Called up as a volunteer to defend Chester Castle against the Fenians in 1866. 29 years after, meeting one of the attacking party as a colleague in the House of Commons.
Indentured to Mr. J. H. Tillett, editor of Norfolk News and Member of Parliament for Norwich, 1868-1880.
Career
Subsequently assistant to Sir Edward Russell on Liverpool Daily Post. Founded the East Anglian Daily Times, 1874. President Newspaper Society of the United Kingdom, 1894, and Institute of Journalists, 1907.
Justice of the Peace for Suffolk, 1894. In 1897 session rode in Parliamentary steeplechase, and played chess for the House of Commons against the American House of Representatives. One of the foundeis of the Norfolk Small Holdings Association, and takes great interest in all movements calculated to keep the villager in the village.
Member of Parliament (Liberal) Mid Norfolk, 1895-1906. Cartulary-register 1907; D.L.; proprietor East Anglian Daily Times; farms his own land in Norfolk.
Politics
Liberal.
Membership
Club: Reform.
Interests
Presided at formation of Felixstowe Golf Club, the 5th club established in England, 1880. Has scored 100 at Queen’s ranges with Martini rifle, all bulls’ eyes at 500 and 600 yards. Member of the Norfolk Territorial Association.
Commissioner of Boy Scouts for Suffolk.
Connections
Spouse 1870, Mary Elizabeth,daughter of Edward Capps of Forest Hill, an early currency reformer, and winner of the 300-guinea prize offered by the Society of Arts for the best essay on the National Debt.