George Frederic Muntz

George Fredrick Muntz (26 November 1794 – 30 July 1857) was an industrialist from Birmingham, England and a Liberal Party Member of Parliament (MP) for the Birmingham constituency from 1840 until his death.

His family were among the thousands of Hugenot immigrants who came to Birmingham after the Napoleonic Wars.

Muntz was a supporter of political reform and a member of the Political Union of Birmingham. In his actions that lead to the Reform Act of 1832, he was indicted for sedition as he tried to undermine the Duke of Wellington with a run on gold: "To stop the Duke, run for gold". He also was involved in a near-riot at Saint Martins in Birmingham in protest against the Church Rates which were levied at around 6d to 9d in the pound. He was sent to trial in 1838, but was acquitted on all but one of 13 charges. Whilst claiming to be a Republican, his true character appeared to be that of an egotistical aristocrat. Edwards wrote in 1877 of a conversation about a speech he made:

"They won't be able to print Muntz's speech verbatim." "Why not?" said I. "Why my dear fellow, no printing office in the world would have capital I's enough".

His home was at Umberslade Hall, in Tanworth in Arden. His descendants still live in the area and operate Umberslade Hall Children's Farm.

As an industrialist, he developed Muntz Metal.

His son Philip Albert Muntz, also a Member of Parliament, was created a Baronet in 1902 (see Muntz Baronets).

The Muntz family are remembered by Muntz Street, a tower block called Muntz House and Muntz Park, all in Birmingham.

References

* [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Muntz,_George_Frederick_(DNB00) Wikisource; Dictionary of National Biography article]
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