Thomas Richardson was an English manufacturer of marine engines and Liberal Party politician.
Background
Richardson was born in Castle Eden, County Durham, the son of Thomas Richardson, a shipbuilder and owner of an engineering works in Hartlepool. Richardson began as an apprentice in his father"s iron foundry in Castle Eden. On the death of his father in 1850, Richardson and his brother John took over the business which traded under the name of Technology Richardson Sons.
Career
Their business was manufacturing marine engines, after they built their first marine engine in 1851. They were also shipbuilders for a short time, but this side of the company went out of business in 1857. Richardson stood unsuccessfully for Parliament in the newly-enfranchised borough of The Hartlepools at the 1868 general election.
When The Liberals split over Irish Home Rule in 1885, Richardson joined the breakaway Liberal Unionist Party, and was returned in 1886 as a Liberal Unionist.
Richardson lived at Kirklevington Grange in Yarm until he built Kirklevington Hall in 1884. He was a J. P. and Deputy Lieutenant for County Durham and a Justice of the Peace for the North Riding of Yorkshire.
He was also president of Hartlepools Bicycle Club,
Richardson married Maria Greenwell, the daughter of Richard Greenwell, a Sunderland shipowner, in 1843.
Membership
21st United Kingdom Parliament. 22nd United Kingdom Parliament. 23rd United Kingdom Parliament.
24th United Kingdom Parliament]
He was a member of the Hartlepool Portuguese and Harbour Commissioners.