John Kerr

1852

Dumfries

Kerr, who lived in East Lothian, was the principal owner of Dick, Kerr, and Company Limited, which carried out large contracts for the construction of tram and cable lines in London, Edinburgh and other cities. He unsuccessfully contested the 1900 general election in his home area of Haddingtonshire. In April 1903 Robert William Hanbury, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Preston, died aged 58. In the preceding years, Kerr"s company had opened extensive tram and electrical equipment factories in Preston, employing nearly 2,000 people, and he was selected as the Conservative candidate for the resulting by-election in May 1903. The Times newspaper reported that he described himself as a firm supporter of the government and as "a thorough Imperialist, believing the maintenance of the Empire as a whole to be essential to the prosperity, if not continued existence, of Britain as an independent Power". The Liberal Party backed the Labour candidate, trade unionist John Hodge, who had the support of the local temperance movement and reported the defection of many local working-class Conservatives to the Labour cause. Kerr held the Preston seat until his defeat at the 1906 general election, after which he did not stand for Parliament again.

John Kerr

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politician

Background

KERR, John was born in 1852 in Dumfries.

Education

Studied at Glencairn School (Grierson bursar). Edinburgh University (prizeman in English Literature, Natural Philosophy, Greek, Hebrew, et cetera). Master of Arts (Edinburgh).

Career

Kerr, who lived in East Lothian, was the principal owner of Dick, Kerr, and Company Limited, which carried out large contracts for the construction of tram and cable lines in London, Edinburgh and other cities. He unsuccessfully contested the 1900 general election in his home area of Haddingtonshire. In April 1903 Robert William Hanbury, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Preston, died aged 58.

In the preceding years, Kerr"s company had opened extensive tram and electrical equipment factories in Preston, employing nearly 2,000 people, and he was selected as the Conservative candidate for the resulting by-election in May 1903.

The Times newspaper reported that he described himself as a firm supporter of the government and as "a thorough Imperialist, believing the maintenance of the Empire as a whole to be essential to the prosperity, if not continued existence, of Britain as an independent Power". The Liberal Party backed the Labour candidate, trade unionist John Hodge, who had the support of the local temperance movement and reported the defection of many local working-class Conservatives to the Labour cause.

Kerr held the Preston seat until his defeat at the 1906 general election, after which he did not stand for Parliament again.

Achievements

However, Kerr won the seat with a majority of 14% of the votes over Hodge, his sole opponent.

Membership

Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Clubs: Northern, Edinburgh. Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, Muirfield, Gullane.

Tantallon, North Berwick.

Interests

Curling, golf, lawn-tennis. Captain Scottish Curling Team which visited Canada and United States, 1902-1903. Chaplain Royal Caledonian Curling Club.

M.W. Past Grand Chaplain Grand Lodge of Scotland.

Representative of Grand Lodge of Quebec. Chaplain 8th V. B. Royal Scots (T.).

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John Kerr

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