Wednesday 25th November, 2009
Summary, part 1
When I started researching Sir Francis Sharp Powell I thought a few hundred words would be sufficient to portray this famous local figure. Instead I discovered a complex and contradictory personality who lived a long, full and active life.
I was surprised to find that Francis lived in Wigan for only a short period of his life, and that he is as well known and respected in the Bradford area as he is in Wigan.
For example, his obituary in the “Manchester Guardian” (Dec. 26, 1911) begins:
“We regret to announce that Sir Francis Sharp Powell died at his residence, Horton Hall, Bradford...”
A few months later the same newspaper wrote:
“The will has been proved of Sir Francis Sharp Powell, of Horton Old Hall, Bradford, and 1, Cambridge Square Hyde Park, London, M.P. For Wigan...”
Notice that, although he is described as Wigan's M.P. neither of his stated places of residence were in the town of his birth.
His reason for moving from Wigan to the Bradford area was probably a result of his inheritance of valuable estates, including Horton Old Hall, from his mother's uncle, Francis Sharp Bridges.
As a result of his acquisitions Francis Sharp Powell was a rich man. When he died in December, 1911, he left estate to the gross value of £342,695 – quite a considerable sum of money. Much of his wealth however, was donated to good causes. He was a generous benefactor both in the Bradford area and in Wigan.
It seems, however, that Bradford gained most from his philanthropy.
Despite his wealth, Francis worked for a living. He trained as a barrister and practised for a while on the northern circuit, but he seems to have been determined to enter the volatile world of politics.
In 1852, when just 27 years old, he stood as Conservative candidate for the Wigan seat. He was unsuccessful on this occasion but finally became a Wigan M.P. in 1857, at the third attempt. He only held the seat for a few years.
After several set backs, Francis' political career took off in 1885, when once more he was elected to the Wigan constituency.
He held the seat until 1910, when, at the age of 83, increasing deafness forced him to resign. He died later the next year.
The Statue with the Shiny Foot
Sir Francis Sharp Powell, the Early Years
Sir Francis Sharp Powell, the Politician
Sir Francis Sharp Powell, Bradford's Benefactor