Michael Bass, 1st Baron Burton

Michael Arthur Bass, 1st Baron Burton
Born	Burton upon Trent, England
Died	February 1, 1909(1909-02-01) (aged 71) London, England
Occupation(s)	Brewer, politician, philanthropist
Years active	1863–1909
Known for	Brewing industry leadership; Liberal Member of Parliament; philanthropy in Burton upon Trent

Michael Arthur Bass, 1st Baron Burton, KCVO (12 November 1837 – 1 February 1909), initially known as Sir Michael Arthur Bass, 1st Baronet between 1882 and 1886, was a prominent British figure in brewing, Liberal politics, and philanthropy. He held a seat in the House of Commons from 1865 until he was granted a peerage as Baron Burton in 1886.

Early life

Born in Burton upon Trent, Bass was the eldest son of Michael Thomas Bass and the great-grandson of William Bass, who established the brewery company Bass & Co in Burton in 1777. His mother was Eliza Jane Arden. He had one younger brother, Hamar Alfred Bass, along with two sisters.

His education included time at Burton Grammar School, followed by Harrow School, and later at Trinity College, Cambridge.

Career

In 1863, Bass became a director at the family brewery, Bass, Ratcliff, Gretton and Co, ascending to chairman after his father passed away in 1884.

He served as a Liberal Member of Parliament for Stafford (1865–1868), East Staffordshire (1868–1885), and Burton (1885–1886). His role as a brewer presented challenges within the Liberal Party due to the temperance movement's influence during that era.

Acknowledging his family's impact, he was made a Baronet of Stafford in 1882, with the title designated to pass to his brother Hamar Alfred Bass. In 1886, he was elevated to the peerage as Baron Burton of Rangemore and Burton-on-Trent with succession limited to male heirs. A subsequent creation in 1897 expanded succession rights to include his daughter and her male descendants. In 1904, he received the honor of Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.

Philanthropy and legacy

The family estate was located at Rangemore near Burton. In February 1902, King Edward VII paid visits to Rangemore, the town itself, and the Bass Brewery. Michael Bass made significant contributions to local infrastructure, notably funding the Stapenhill viaduct featuring a 120 ft cast iron suspension bridge that provided workers with reliable passage during river flooding. Following his father's example, he was a major benefactor to Burton’s community projects such as the Ferry Bridge, Burton, St Paul's Institute and Liberal Club (currently Burton upon Trent Town Hall), and St. Chad's Church, Burton-on-Trent.

Bass passed away in London in February 1909 at age 71. The Stafford baronetcy was inherited by his nephew William under a special remainder. The barony created in 1886 became extinct due to absence of male heirs; however, the 1897 barony passed to his daughter Nellie Lisa according to its special remainder.

A bronze statue of Lord Burton sculpted by F. W. Pomeroy was unveiled before Burton upon Trent Town Hall in 1911.

Family life

In 1869, Lord Burton married Harriett Georgina Thornewill, daughter of Edward Thornewill from the Burton-based engineering enterprise Thornewill and Warham. They had one daughter named Nellie Lisa Melles. After Lord Burton’s death, Lady Burton resided with her daughter in Grosvenor Square until her own passing in 1931.

See also

• Beerage

External links

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