Arthur Atherley

Arthur Atherley (12 June 1772 – 1 October 1844)[1] was an English Member of Parliament, serving the Southampton constituency three times, as Whig (a Liberal Party predecessor) and Reformer.

Portrait of Arthur Atherley as an Etonian

Atherley was born in Southampton, the son of Arthur Atherley and Susanna Carter,[1] and was the fifth successive member of the Atherley family to be baptised as "Arthur".[2] He was educated at Eton College where, in 1791, he had his portrait painted by Sir Thomas Lawrence – this portrait now hangs in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.[3] At Eton, he was captain of the Ad Montem club, an institution with roots to medieval times that survived until 1847. One of the club's traditions was to take part in a procession to Salt Hill during which boys in fancy costume, the salt bearers, participated in the maintenance of their "captain" at university by levying contributions from passers-by.[3]

After finishing his education at Eton, he then went up to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was admitted a pensioner on 6 May 1790, matriculating at Michaelmas, 1791, following which he was admitted to Lincoln's Inn.[4] On 2 June 1793, he married Lady Louisa Kerr, daughter of William Kerr, 5th Marquess of Lothian; they had eight children.[1]

Atherley was four times elected to represent Southampton as M.P.; in 1806, 1812, 1831 and 1832,[5] and was one of the original members of the Fox Club. He was also a member of the family banking business in Southampton.[2] He retired from politics in 1835.[6]

He later moved to Sussex, where he served as a justice of the peace, and he died at Tower House, Brighton, in 1844, but his body was returned to Southampton and buried in All Saints' Church.[2]

References

  1. "Arthur Atherley". Wildings & Thurleys, Cantophers & McConnells. website.lineone.net. Retrieved 13 September 2009.
  2. Leonard, A.G.K. (1984). Stories of Southampton Streets. Paul Cave Publications. pp. 32–33. ISBN 0-86146-041-3.
  3. "Portrait of Arthur Atherley as an Etonian, circa 1791". Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2009.
  4. "Atherley, Arthur (ATRY790A)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  5. "Hansard record: Arthur Atherley". Hansard. www.hansard.millbanksystems.com. Retrieved 13 September 2009.
  6. The Gentleman's Magazine. 1844. p. 650. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
James Amyatt
George Henry Rose
Member of Parliament for Southampton
18061807
With: George Henry Rose
Succeeded by
Josias Jackson
George Henry Rose
Preceded by
Josias Jackson
George Henry Rose
Member of Parliament for Southampton
18121818
With: George Henry Rose
Succeeded by
William Chamberlayne
George Henry Rose
Preceded by
Abel Rous Dottin
James Barlow-Hoy
Member of Parliament for Southampton
18311835
With: John Storey Penleaze 1831–1832
James Barlow-Hoy 1832–1833
John Storey Penleaze 1833–1835
Succeeded by
Abel Rous Dottin
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