Joshua Scholefield

Joshua Scholefield
Born	Template:Birth date Sheffield, Yorkshire, England
Died	July 4, 1844(1844-07-04) (aged 69) Birmingham, England
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, iron producer, trader, financier, politician
Years active	Early 19th century – 1844
Known for	One of the first MPs for Birmingham following the Reform Act 1832; deputy chairman of the Birmingham Political Union

Joshua Scholefield (23 May 1775 – 4 July 1844) was an English entrepreneur and a Radical political figure. Following Birmingham's acquisition of parliamentary representation through the Reform Act of 1832, he became one of the first two MPs representing the town.

Originally from Sheffield, Yorkshire, by the turn of the 19th century Scholefield had built a career as an iron producer, trader, and financier based in Birmingham. He subsequently held directorships at the National Provincial Bank, the London Joint Stock Bank, and the Metropolitan Assurance Company.

Birmingham Political Union

During the early 1800s, Birmingham lacked both local governance and parliamentary seats. In this context, Scholefield championed reforms in municipal administration and parliamentary representation. In 1819, he was appointed high bailiff of Birmingham's Court Leet—a position largely symbolic—through which he led a gathering of local businessmen in 1820 that petitioned Parliament to examine the economic hardships impacting the town’s manufacturing and commercial sectors.

Together with Thomas Attwood in 1830, Scholefield helped establish the Birmingham Political Union, assuming the role of deputy chairman. This organization actively promoted parliamentary reform efforts that ultimately contributed to the enactment of the Reform Act 1832.

Member of Parliament

The Reform Act of 1832 awarded Birmingham two seats in the House of Commons. The leading Radical faction chose Attwood and Scholefield as their candidates, both securing election without opposition. Scholefield maintained his seat through subsequent polls until his passing. In his parliamentary tenure, he opposed the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 and endorsed Chartist aims. After becoming unwell on 24 June 1844, he died at his home in Birmingham on 4 July at age 69. His interment took place at Edgbaston churchyard.

Family

His son, William Scholefield, was appointed as Birmingham’s inaugural Mayor and later took over his father’s parliamentary seat.