Thomas Ackroyd
Thomas Raven Ackroyd | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date |
| Died | April 26, 1946 (aged 84) |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, politician |
| Known for | Member of Parliament for Manchester Moss Side (1923–1924) |
Thomas Raven Ackroyd (7 August 1861 – 26 April 1946) was a British banking professional and a politician affiliated with the Liberal Party.
Family and education
The son of William and Elizabeth Ackroyd, Thomas received his education at Chancery Lane, the Wesleyan School in Manchester, and the Manchester Mechanics’ Institute. He pursued evening studies at Manchester University and was later honored with an honorary MA degree from the same institution. In 1893, he married Emily Woffenden. Their son, Charles Winstanley Ackroyd (born 1894), moved to Australia in 1916, served in the military, and was killed in action in 1917. Ackroyd was notably involved as a lay preacher within the Wesleyan Methodist community.
Career
Beginning his banking profession in 1878 as a junior clerk at the Union Bank of Manchester, Ackroyd advanced to the role of bank manager. Prior to retiring from banking, he also held the position of Justice of the Peace. After stepping down, he dedicated himself to social and educational initiatives aimed at supporting disadvantaged children.
Public life
Ackroyd played a significant role in Manchester’s religious and charitable organizations. He served as chairman of the Manchester and Salford Ragged School Union, led the Shaftesbury Society in 1924—an organization established by Lord Shaftesbury—and presided over the London Ragged School Union. Furthermore, he chaired the executive committee for the Lancashire and Cheshire branches of the YMCA.
Local and regional politics
Within local governance, Ackroyd was an active figure on the City Council, where he served as a member and subsequently as an Alderman. He also represented both Lancashire and Cheshire within the National Liberal Federation.
Parliament
Ackroyd first sought election to Parliament during the 1922 general election, standing as a Liberal candidate for Manchester Moss Side. He finished second to Conservative Gerald Berkeley Hurst.
In the following year’s election (1923 election), benefiting from Liberal Party unity and absence of Labour opposition, he secured victory with a majority of 3,113 votes over Hurst. However, at the 1924 election, Conservatives regained momentum, resulting in Ackroyd losing his seat back to Hurst by 4,009 votes. He made another attempt in 1929, but placed third in a three-candidate contest and did not pursue further parliamentary contests thereafter.
Death
Ackroyd passed away on 26 April 1946 at the age of 84.