Robert Laidlaw (politician)

Robert Laidlaw

Sir Robert Laidlaw (15 January 1856 – 3 November 1915) was a British Liberal Party politician.

Background

He was born in Bonchester Bridge, Roxburghshire, the son of William Laidlaw and Agnes Purdom. He was educated at Kirkton and Denholm Parish Schools. He married in 1879, Mrs Mary Eliza Francis (née Collins). They had three daughters.[1]

Career

He was an export merchant. He was Chairman of Whiteaway, Laidlaw, and Co., Ltd, and Dusun Durian Rubber Estate, Ltd.[1] In January 1906, standing for the first time, he was elected Liberal MP for Renfrewshire East, at the General Election, gaining the seat from the Conservatives.[2]

In 1909 he was knighted and appointed British Commissioner to the International Opium Commission in Shanghai.[1] He was defeated at the General Election of January 1910 and did not seek election again.[2]

Election results

General Election 1906: Renfrewshire East [3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Robert Laidlaw 6,896 50.3
Conservative Sir Michael Hugh Shaw-Stewart 6,801 49.7
General Election Jan 1910: Renfrewshire East [4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Capt John Gilmour 9,645
Liberal Sir Robert Laidlaw 8,771

References

  1. 1 2 3 Who Was Who
  2. 1 2 British parliamentary election results 1885-1918
  3. ↑ Whitaker's Almanack, 1907
  4. ↑ Debrett's House of Commons and the Judicial Bench, 1916

Sources

External links

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Sir Hugh Shaw-Stewart		 Member of Parliament for East Renfrewshire
1906–January 1910 		Succeeded by
Sir John Gilmour
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