Charles Williamson Crook

Who was Charles Williamson Crook?

Charles Williamson Crook was an English teacher, trade union official and a Conservative and Unionist Party politician. He was the Member of Parliament for East Ham North twice, from 1922 to 1923 and from 1924 to 1926.

Crook was born in Preston, Lancashire on 4 March 1862, the son of William Crook, he was educated at St. James National School in Barrow-in-Furness, Alston College, and St. Johns College, Battersea. He became a BSc in 1886 and a BA in 1892 at London University. Crook held various appointments as a teacher and for 14 years was member of the executive of the National Union of Teachers, becoming president for a year in 1916.

In the 1922 General Election he was elected a Member of Parliament for East Ham North for the Conservative and Unionist Party. He lost the seat the following year in the 1923 General Election to the labour candidate Susan Lawrence. Crook regained the seat in 1924 General Election and held it until his death.