Hugh Taylor

Background

Hugh Taylor was born in Shilbottle, in Northumberland in 1817.

Career

He was partly educated at the Royal Jubilee School, New Road, Newcastle. In 1852, he successfully contested the borough of Tynemouth for the Conservative party defeating Ralph Gray(the sitting Whig Member of Parliament) by 12 votes. However it was found his supporters had been bribing the voters and he was duly unseated the following year.

Hansard records a couple of contributions to maritime debates.

He resigned in 1861 and returned to business. By 1869 Hudson was deeply in debt, in bad health and living in exile so Taylor and Elliot started a subscription fund which they launched with donation of 100 Guineas each.

When this closed it was converted into a trust fund (legally protected from Hudson"s creditors) and provided Hudson with an income. Hudson returned to England in 1870 and visited Taylor at Chipchase Castle in April that year.

Achievements

• He won the seat in 1859 but it seems his political sympathies were certainly leaning towards the Liberal Party as he voted with them on a number of issues.

Membership

16th United Kingdom Parliament. 18th United Kingdom Parliament.

Connections

friends:

George Elliot

Partner:

West Cramlington