Thomas Hawkes

Background

Thomas Hawkes was born in 1778. His father Abiathar Hawkes was involved in the glass industry and had founded the Dudley Flint Glassworks situated in King Street, Dudley in 1776.

Career

He was elected as Member of Parliament for Dudley in 1834, defeating the sitting candidate, Sir John Campbell. He thus became the second person to represent Dudley at the United Kingdom Parliament. Thomas Hawkes became a large scale glass manufacturer in his own right in the town of Dudley trading as Thomas Hawkes and Company

In 1834 he challenged Sir John Campbell at a by-election to become Member of Parliament for Dudley.

However, when subsequently appointed as Attorney General, a by-election was called (as was the practice then) and Thomas Hawkes stood against him, winning the seat.

The result provoked considerable disorder in the town. C.F.G Clarke quotes a rhyme by Dudley poet Ben Boucher on the subject of the election:

Hawkes to Cape—ll gave a note,

And for five pounds bought his vote;

He therefore thus did change his coat

And to the Tories gave his vote.

He represented the Conservative Party. In 1837, it was reported that he commanded a troop of yeomanry.

Thomas Hawkes died in 1858.

Achievements

• Campbell had succeeded in becoming the first member of parliament for Dudley in modern history when he won the seat at the general election in 1832. Thomas Hawkes subsequently stood and won the seat in 1835, 1837 and 1841.