Thomas William Booker-Blakemore , Member of Parliament, was an industrialist, landowner, and politician.
Background
He was born in Dudley in 1801. He was the son of the Reverend Luke Booker (1762–1836), Chaplains in Ordinary to George Prince Regent, vicar of Dudley, rector of Tedstone Delamere, and an author of poetry and other publications. His mother, Ann, was the daughter of Thomas Blakemore (d 1808), of Littleton Hall in West Bromwich, and Anne Partridge (d 1838) of Ross-on-Wye.
Education
Booker was educated at Hartlebury, Worcestershire.
Career
Booker took an active role in the affairs of politics, serving as Justice of the Peace and Deputy Lieutenant of Hereford, Monmouth, and Glamorgan. In 1848, he served as High Sheriff of Glamorgan. He was Chairman of the Monmouthshire Railway and Canal Company, and of the Cardiff Steam Navigation Company.
He took out patents for tin plate making in 1837 and for manufacturing iron in 1841.
One of his aims was to add land to his estates. He acquired properties, owning the whole of Pentyrch.
He had freeholds at Whitchurch, Llandaff, and Llanlltyd. At one time his estate consisted of 8,000 acres.
Booker held an annual flower show at Wauntreoda, Whitchurch.
He was interested in scientific pursuits, particularly mineralogy. He joined the Institution of Civil Engineers as an Associate in 1850.
Membership
15th United Kingdom Parliament. 16th United Kingdom Parliament. 17th United Kingdom Parliament]
He represented Herefordshire as a Member of Parliament (1819–1858).
Personality
He was a Conservative in politics and an active magistrate.