Thomas Butterworth Bayley
Encyclopedia
Thomas Butterworth Bayley (1744–1802) was an English magistrate, agriculturist and philanthropist.
, Cheshire
. Shortly after completing his education at the University of Edinburgh
, he was chosen a justice of the peace
for the county palatine of Lancaster. The reputation he acquired by led to his being appointed a few years afterwards perpetual chairman of the quarter sessions. He was appointed High Sheriff of Lancashire
for 1768.
Principally by his efforts, an improved gaol and penitentiary-house for Manchester was erected in 1787. In his honour, it was named the New Bayley. The building was pulled down in 1873. After improvements introduced in its construction, and in that of the county gaol at Lancaster
, Bayley was consulted in regard to the erection and improvement of prisons throughout the country.
He also took an active interest in sanitary reform, and in schemes for improving the condition of the poor. In 1796 he was successful in obtaining in Manchester the establishment of a board of health, of which he was chosen chairman. He was one of the founders of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester, and of a college of arts and sciences, which was later abandoned. Much of his spare time he devoted to agriculture, and on his farm of Hope near Manchester introduced various new agricultural methods, including an improved system of sod draining. He wrote a pamphlet entitled On a Cheap and Expeditious Method of Draining Land, which was published in Alexander Hunter
's Georgical Essays, vol. iv. (1772), and vol. i. (1803). He was also the author of Observations on the General Highway and Turnpike Acts, 1773.
He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1773. He died at Buxton
on 24 June 1802.
Life
He was from an old Lancashire family, and his mother was one of the Dukinfields of DukinfieldDukinfield
Dukinfield is a small town within the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies in central Tameside on the south bank of the River Tame, opposite Ashton-under-Lyne, and is east of the city of Manchester...
, Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
. Shortly after completing his education at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, he was chosen a justice of the peace
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 the county palatine of Lancaster. The reputation he acquired by led to his being appointed a few years afterwards perpetual chairman of the quarter sessions. He was appointed High Sheriff of Lancashire
High Sheriff of Lancashire
The High Sheriff of Lancashire is an ancient officer, now largely ceremonial, granted to Lancashire, a county in North West England. High Shrievalties are the oldest secular titles under the Crown, in England and Wales...
for 1768.
Principally by his efforts, an improved gaol and penitentiary-house for Manchester was erected in 1787. In his honour, it was named the New Bayley. The building was pulled down in 1873. After improvements introduced in its construction, and in that of the county gaol at Lancaster
Lancaster, Lancashire
Lancaster is the county town of Lancashire, England. It is situated on the River Lune and has a population of 45,952. Lancaster is a constituent settlement of the wider City of Lancaster, local government district which has a population of 133,914 and encompasses several outlying towns, including...
, Bayley was consulted in regard to the erection and improvement of prisons throughout the country.
He also took an active interest in sanitary reform, and in schemes for improving the condition of the poor. In 1796 he was successful in obtaining in Manchester the establishment of a board of health, of which he was chosen chairman. He was one of the founders of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester, and of a college of arts and sciences, which was later abandoned. Much of his spare time he devoted to agriculture, and on his farm of Hope near Manchester introduced various new agricultural methods, including an improved system of sod draining. He wrote a pamphlet entitled On a Cheap and Expeditious Method of Draining Land, which was published in Alexander Hunter
Alexander Hunter
-Life:Born at Edinburgh in 1729 , he was eldest son of a prosperous druggist. He was sent to the grammar school at ten, and at fifteen to the university, where he remained until he was twenty-one, having devoted the last three years to medicine...
's Georgical Essays, vol. iv. (1772), and vol. i. (1803). He was also the author of Observations on the General Highway and Turnpike Acts, 1773.
He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1773. He died at Buxton
Buxton
Buxton is a spa town in Derbyshire, England. It has the highest elevation of any market town in England. Located close to the county boundary with Cheshire to the west and Staffordshire to the south, Buxton is described as "the gateway to the Peak District National Park"...
on 24 June 1802.