Background
He was the son of John Kirton Gilliat and Mary Anne Saunders of Fernill, Berkshire. His father was founder J K Gilliat and Company, a merchant banking company that traded in England and America.
He was the son of John Kirton Gilliat and Mary Anne Saunders of Fernill, Berkshire. His father was founder J K Gilliat and Company, a merchant banking company that traded in England and America.
He was educated at Harrow School and University College, Oxford.
In 1862 he joined the court of the Bank of England, and was Governor from 1883 to 1885, having previous served as its Deputy Governor. In 1891 he put his name forward as Conservative candidate for the parliamentary seat of Street Albans, but withdrew his candidacy. He was eventually chosen to contest Widnes when the sitting Member of Parliament, T C Edwards-Moss retired for health reasons.
He held the seat until 1900.
Gilliat made his home at Chorleywood, Hertfordshire.
Conservative.
24th United Kingdom Parliament. 25th United Kingdom Parliament. 26th United Kingdom Parliament]
In 1886 he was elected as Conservative member of parliament for the Clapham constituency of south London.
On his death at the age of 82 in 1912 Gilliat was the oldest member of the Court of the Bank of England.