Sir Joseph Compton-Rickett, DL PC (13 February 1847 – 30 July 1919), was a British Liberal Party politician. He was also an industrialist (until 1902), lay preacher, and writer. He wrote poetry and fiction, as well as on such topics as popular philosophy. He sometimes wrote under the pseudonym Maurice Baxter.[1]

Quick Facts The Right HonourableSir Joseph Compton-RickettDL, HM Paymaster General ...
Sir Joseph Compton-Rickett
HM Paymaster General
In office
1916–1919
Prime MinisterDavid Lloyd George
Preceded byArthur Henderson
Succeeded byTudor Walters
Member of Parliament
for Scarborough
In office
7 August 1895  8 February 1906
Preceded bySir George Sitwell, Bt
Succeeded byWalter Rea
Member of Parliament
for Osgoldcross
In office
8 February 1906  25 November 1918
Preceded bySir John Austin, Bt
Succeeded byJohn Stephenson Rowntree
Member of Parliament
for Pontefract
In office
14 December 1918  30 July 1919
Preceded byFrederick Handel Booth
Succeeded byWalter Forrest
Personal details
Born
Joseph Rickett

13 February 1847
London, England, UK
Died30 July 1919 (aged 72)
UK
Political partyLiberal Party
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Background

He was born in London as Joseph Rickett, the eldest son of Joseph Rickett, of East Hoathly. He was educated at King Edward VI School, Bath. In 1868 he married Catharine Sarah Gamble (1847–1933). They had ten children.[2] There were four sons and four daughters living when he died in 1919.[3] He was knighted on 24 December 1907.[4] He assumed by Royal licence the additional surname of Compton in 1908.

In 1911 he was appointed to the Privy Council.[5]

Professional career

He was in business and interested in various commercial undertakings.[2] In 1902, he retired from the chairmanship of several coal trade companies to devote himself to his political career.[5]

Political career

Thumb
Sir Joseph Compton-Rickett in 1919

He was Member of Parliament (MP) for Scarborough from 18951906. He had gained the seat from the Conservatives in 1895 and held it in 1900. He was then Member of Parliament for Osgoldcross from 19061918. In 1906 he re-gained the seat that had been Independent Liberal since 1899. He held office in the Coalition Government of David Lloyd George as Paymaster General from 1916 to 1919. In 1917 he served as a Charity Commissioner.[5]

He was Member of Parliament for the Pontefract constituency that largely absorbed Osgoldcross from 1918 until his death aged 72 the following year.[citation needed] For the execution of his will, Sir Joseph's eldest son, Arthur Compton-Rickett, was appointed the public trustee.[3]

Electoral record

More information Party, Candidate ...
General election 1906: Osgoldcross[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Joseph Rickett 8,482 66.1
Conservative Granville Wheler 4,358 33.9 n/a
Majority 4,124 32.1
Turnout 12,840
Liberal gain from Independent Liberal Swing
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More information Party, Candidate ...
General election January 1910: Osgoldcross [6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Joseph Compton-Rickett 9,517 66.3
Conservative Gerald de la Pryme Hargreaves 4,840 33.7
Majority 4,677 32.6
Turnout
Liberal hold Swing
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More information Party, Candidate ...
General election December 1910: Osgoldcross[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Joseph Compton-Rickett 8,518 66.2 −0.1
Conservative Malcolm Campbell-Johnston 4,347 33.8 +0.1
Majority 4,171 32.4 −0.2
Turnout 70.4
Liberal hold Swing -0.1
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Pontefract General Election, 1918[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Joseph Compton-Rickett 8,561 62.9
Labour Isaac Burns 5,047 37.1
Majority 3514 25.8
Turnout 45.6
Liberal hold Swing
Close

References

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