Stephen Mason (MP)

Stephen Mason (1832 - 21 April 1890) was a Scottish Liberal politician.

Family and business

Mason was born at Kennoway in the Kingdom of Fife. He was educated locally in a private school. He married Martha Marshall of Machan in Lanarkshire.

Mason was originally a Glasgow merchant, a sometime chairman of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce. [The Times, 1 December 1885] By 1889 he is recorded as being a member of the London Board and managing director of the English and Australian Mortgage Bank Ltd [The Times, 30 October 1889.] He was also a Justice of the Peace in Glasgow. [Obituary: The Times, 22 April 1890]

His son, David Marshall Mason (1865-1945) was also an MP, being Liberal member for Coventry from 1910-1918 and Edinburgh East 1931-35 ["Who was Who". OUP 2008]

Political career

Mason was elected as a Liberal Member of Parliament for Mid Lanarkshire in the 1885 general election defeating his Conservative opponent by 296 votes. At the 1886 election Mason held his seat with an increased majority 870, this time against Liberal Unionist opposition and emphasising his support of Irish Home Rule. [The Times, 22 April 1890] He resigned from Parliament in 1888 by becoming Steward of the Manor of Northstead. It was reported that Mason had gone on a voyage to Australia. [The Times, 3 January 1889]

Death

Having previously been in what appeared to be good health, Mason died suddenly of heart disease at his London home in Streatham Hill on 21 April 1890. [Obituary: The Times, 22 April 1890]

References

*Rayment-hc