Pickering Phipps (MP)
Pickering Phipps | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Northampton, England |
| Died | September 14, 1890 (aged 63) |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, brewer |
| Years active | 1854–1890 |
| Known for | Member of Parliament for Northampton (1874–1880) and South Northamptonshire (1881–1885) |
Pickering Phipps (14 March 1827 – 14 September 1890) was a British Conservative politician who served as Member of Parliament for Northampton between 1874 and 1880, and subsequently represented South Northamptonshire from 1881 until 1885.
Early life and business career
Hailing from Northampton, Phipps was the son of Edward Phipps and Elizabeth Outlaw, and the grandson of the notable local brewer Pickering Phipps. Following the premature passing of his father, he attended a basic school before beginning an apprenticeship as a draper. He eventually entered the family brewing business, acquiring a substantial ownership stake after the demise of his uncles. In addition to his brewing interests, he held directorships at the Northamptonshire Banking Company and its successor institution, the Capital and Counties Bank.
In 1850, he married Mary Ann Whitmy, also from Northampton.
Political career and later life
Phipps embarked on his political journey as a town councillor for Northampton’s South Ward starting in 1854. He held the mayoralty twice, during 1860-61 and again in 1866-67. Although he resigned in 1877, he returned to local government in 1880.
At the 1874 general election, Phipps was chosen as the Conservative candidate for Northampton and secured election amidst a nationwide Conservative upswing led by Disraeli. The Liberal vote was divided among three contenders, enabling him to capture a seat that had been under Liberal control since the 1830s. However, in the 1880 election, both he and fellow Conservative Charles Merewether were defeated by Liberal candidates Henry Labouchère and Charles Bradlaugh.
In February 1881, Phipps re-entered Parliament unopposed through a by-election in South Northamptonshire, a constituency with strong Conservative support. The 1885 redistribution transformed this seat into Mid Northamptonshire, which had a more Liberal-leaning electorate; here, Phipps was narrowly defeated by Hon. Charles Spencer by approximately one thousand votes. He did not pursue further parliamentary ambitions but was elected to the newly established Northampton County Council in 1888 representing Wootton.
In 1875, Phipps constructed Collingtree Grange; although the main building was later demolished, its entrance lodges still stand. St Matthew's Church in Northampton was funded by his son as a commemorative tribute.