Richard Pilkington (Newton MP)

Richard Pilkington (17 January 1841 – 12 March 1908) was a British Conservative politician and member of the Pilkington glass-manufacturing family.

Colonel Richard Pilkington CB
Member of Parliament for Newton
In office 16 January 1899 – 7 February 1906
Preceded by	Thomas Wodehouse Legh
Succeeded by	James Andrew Seddon
Personal details
Born	17 January 1841 St Helens, Lancashire
Died	12 March 1908(1908-03-12) (aged 67)
Nationality	British
Political party	Conservative
Spouse	Louisa Sinclair

He was the second son of Richard Pilkington of Windle Hall near St Helens, Lancashire. In 1858/59 he became a partner in the family glassworks.[1]

In 1863 he married Louisa Sinclair and in 1885 he bought the Rainford Hall estate, commissioning James Medland Taylor to build a new house. The building is in the Jacobethan style, of red brick with sandstone dressings.[2]

He became a member of St Helens Borough Council, holding the office of mayor in 1881, 1896, 1897 and 1898.[3][4] By this time he held the rank of lieutenant-colonel, in the Volunteer Force and commanded a battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment.[5]

Richard Pilkington commissioned James Medland Taylor to build a new house on his Rainford Hall estate.

In December 1898 he was selected as the Conservative candidate for a by-election in the Newton constituency. He had previously been considered a Liberal Unionist.[5] As the only candidate nominated he was elected unopposed on 16 January 1899.[6]

Pilkington held his seat at the subsequent general election in 1900, but was defeated in 1906 by a Labour candidate.[7][8]

Richard Pilkington died on 12 March 1908, aged 67. A condition in his will forbade the inheritors of his estate from permitting the construction or use of any building for the sale of intoxicating liquor.[9]