Leslie Lever, Baron Lever

Who was Leslie Lever, Baron Lever?

Leslie Maurice Lever, Baron Lever, GCSG was a British Labour politician. He was Member of Parliament for Manchester Ardwick from 1950 to 1970, when he retired. Subsequently, he was given a life peerage as Baron Lever, of Ardwick in the City of Manchester on 10 July 1975.

He was educated at Manchester Grammar School and read Law at Leeds University. He was a solicitor and poor man's lawyer between 1928 and the advent of Legal Aid in 1948, funding his impecunious clients' cases out of his own pocket if they lost. His younger sister and three younger brothers were all lawyers. His brother Harold was also a Member of Parliament.

He served as Lord Mayor of Manchester, attending 2,700 official engagements. His political career both as a councillor and M.P., representing inner city slum areas.

He was knighted by Popes John XXIII and Paul VI, as well as by the Queen in 1970 for his philanthropic work. He died in Manchester in 1977, aged 72.