James Merry (Scottish politician)
James Merry (1805 – 3 February 1877 ) was a Scottish ironmaster and race-horse breeder and a Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1859 to 1874.
Merry was the son of James Merry, merchant of Glasgow, and his wife Janet Creelman daughter of W. Creelman. He was educated at the University of Glasgow and became an ironmaster in Lanarkshire and Ayrshire. He was an influential member of "the Turf", and breeder of some of the best English race-horses including Thormanby which won the Derby in 1860, Dundee, Buckstone and Scottish Chief. He also won the Derby in 1873 with Doncaster. He was a Deputy Lieutenant and J.P. for Inverness-shire'[1]
Merry stood unsuccessfully for parliament at Glasgow in February 1857. He was elected MP for Falkirk Burghs in April 1857 but was unseated on petition the following July. At the 1859 general election Merry was elected MP for Falkirk Burghs and held the seat until 1874.[2]
In 1857 Merry bought the Belladrum Estate, near Beauly.
Merry died at the age of 70.
Merry married Ann McHardy, daughter of James McHardy of Glenboig, Lanarkshire in 1847.[1]
Merry Island, off the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, is named for Merry.
References[]
External links[]
- Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by James Merry
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- 1805 births
- 1877 deaths
- Deputy Lieutenants of Inverness-shire
- Scottish Liberal Party MPs
- Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Scottish constituencies
- UK MPs 1857–1859
- UK MPs 1859–1865
- UK MPs 1868–1874
- Alumni of the University of Glasgow
- British racehorse owners and breeders
- Owners of Epsom Derby winners
- Liberal MP for Scotland stubs