Background
Magniac was the eldest son of Hollingworth Magniac of Colworth, Bedfordshire.
Magniac was the eldest son of Hollingworth Magniac of Colworth, Bedfordshire.
Eton College.
Following education at Eton College and the University of Cambridge, he worked in finance in the City of London, becoming a partner in Matheson and Company of Lombard Street. He was appointed a deputy lieutenant for the City, and was the first president of the London Chamber of Commerce. In about 1869 Magniac purchased Chesterfield House the great Mayfair townhouse built 1747-1752 by Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, which had been threatened with demolition.
He was first elected as an Member of Parliament in 1868, representing Street Ives, Cornwall.
A contemporary political reporter commented:
"Street Ives, (Cornwall) scared away Mr Paull (C), and embraced Mr. Magniac (L), of the firm of Matheson & Company, the frightfully rich China merchants in the City, who when they lose a quarter of a million are no more concerned about it than I should be if I were to lose half a crown."
He held the Street Ives seat until 1874 then returned to the House of Commons in 1880, as one of two MPs for the Borough of Bedford.
In 1885 the constituency"s representation was reduced to one member, and Magniac was selected as Liberal candidate for the new Northern or Biggleswade Division of Bedfordshire. He was elected at the 1885 general election, but was defeated in the following election in 1886.
He was chosen as Liberal candidate for the next general election, but died before it took place.
Magniac was also deeply interested in agriculture, and was a breeder of shorthorn cattle and carthorses. Magniac died suddenly at his London residence in November 1891. At the time of his death he was chairman of Bedfordshire County Council, as well as a justice of the peace and deputy lieutenant for the county.
Magniac was a committed Liberal, and was elected as a member of parliament for the party on a number of occasions.
20th United Kingdom Parliament. 22nd United Kingdom Parliament. 23rd United Kingdom Parliament.