James Merry (Scottish politician)
Encyclopedia
James Merry was a Scottish ironmaster and race-horse breeder and a Liberal
politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1859 to 1874.
Merry was the son of James Merry, merchant of Glasgow, and his wife Janet Creelman daughter of W. Creelman. He was educated at the University of Glasgow
and became an ironmaster in Lanarkshire and Ayrshire. He was an influential member of "the Turf", and breeder of some of the best English race-horses including Thormanby which won the Derby
in 1860, Dundee, Buckstone and Scottish Chief. He also won the Derby in 1873 with Doncaster
. He was a Deputy Lieutenant
and J.P.
for Inverness-shire'
Merry stood unsuccessfully for parliament at Glasgow
in February 1857. He was elected MP for Falkirk Burghs
in April 1857 but was unseated on petition the following July. At the 1859 general election
Merry was elected MP for Falkirk Burghs and held the seat until 1874.
Merry died at the age of 70.
Merry married Ann McHardy, daughter of James McHardy of Glenboig, Lanarkshire in 1847.
Liberal Party (UK)
The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day...
politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1859 to 1874.
Merry was the son of James Merry, merchant of Glasgow, and his wife Janet Creelman daughter of W. Creelman. He was educated at the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
and became an ironmaster in Lanarkshire and Ayrshire. He was an influential member of "the Turf", and breeder of some of the best English race-horses including Thormanby which won the Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
in 1860, Dundee, Buckstone and Scottish Chief. He also won the Derby in 1873 with Doncaster
Doncaster (horse)
Doncaster was an English Thoroughbred racehorse, winner of the Epsom Derby and sire of the great stallion Bend Or.-Breeding:...
. He was a Deputy Lieutenant
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
and J.P.
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
for Inverness-shire'
Merry stood unsuccessfully for parliament at Glasgow
Glasgow (UK Parliament constituency)
Glasgow was a burgh constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1832 to 1885. It returned two Member of Parliament until 1868, and then three from 1868 to 1885...
in February 1857. He was elected MP for Falkirk Burghs
Falkirk Burghs (UK Parliament constituency)
Falkirk Burghs was a district of burghs constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1832 to 1918. The constituency comprised the burghs of Falkirk, Airdrie, Hamilton, Lanark and Linlithgow, lying in Stirlingshire, Lanarkshire and Linlithgowshire.In 1918,...
in April 1857 but was unseated on petition the following July. At the 1859 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1859
In the 1859 United Kingdom general election, the Whigs, led by Lord Palmerston, held their majority in the House of Commons over the Earl of Derby's Conservatives...
Merry was elected MP for Falkirk Burghs and held the seat until 1874.
Merry died at the age of 70.
Merry married Ann McHardy, daughter of James McHardy of Glenboig, Lanarkshire in 1847.