Sir Thomas Lea, 1st Baronet was an English carpet manufacturer from Kidderminster, and a Liberal Party politician.
Background
Thomas Lea was born at The Larches, near Kidderminster, in 1841, the eldest son of George Butcher Lea. He came from a family which had manufactured Kidderminster stuff and bombazine in the 17th and 18th centuries. His ancestor Francis Lea with son John Lea went over to carpet weaving in 1781.
When Francis retired from this firm, he and his second son Thomas Lea set up a worsted spinning business in Callows Lane, Kidderminster.
Francis" daughter married William Butcher, and their son George Butcher later joined the firm. In 1831 George formed the firm of Butcher, Worth and Holmes to manufacture carpets.
In 1835 Thomas gave his spinning business to his nephew George Butcher, who later took the name George Butcher Lea.
Career
He then built Slingfield Mills at Kidderminster in 1864. He held the seat until 1874, and later represented County Donegal from 1880 to 1885 and County Londonderry South from 1886 to 1900. He was a Justice of the Peace.
In 1892, he was created a baronet, of The Larches in Kidderminster in the County of Worcester and of Sea Grove in Dawlish in the County of Devon.
Lea married, in 1864, Louisa Birch, daughter of William Birch, of Barton-under-Needwood, Staffordshire. The eldest son, Sir Thomas Sydney Lea (1867-1946) succeeded as baronet, and was a barrister.
The younger son, Review Percy Lea, was a priest.
Lea died at Kidderminster on 9 January 1902, aged 60.
Membership
20th United Kingdom Parliament. 21st United Kingdom Parliament. 22nd United Kingdom Parliament.
24th United Kingdom Parliament.
25th United Kingdom Parliament. 26th United Kingdom Parliament.