Edward Hodson Bayley

Who was Edward Hodson Bayley?

Edward Hodson Bayley was a British businessman and Liberal Party politician.

Born in Accrington, Lancashire, he was the second son of the Reverend Dr Johnathon Bayley, a pastor with the Swedenborgian New Church and his wife Lydia née Hodson. Educated in England, France and Germany, he moved to the south east suburbs of London and established E H Bayley & Co., waggon builders, at Newington Causeway. In 1892 he was described as a "wheelwright and fire escape manufacturer". He was also the chairman of three other transport-related businesses: the West Metropolitan Tramways Company, the London Improved Cab Company and of the United Horseshoe and Nail Company. He also sat on the London board of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. His first wife was an American woman, Josephine Simon. After her death in 1881, Bayley founded the New Church Orphanage in her memory.

Bayley was active in the Liberal Party, and in 1886 was chosen to contest the Camberwell North constituency, defending the seat of the retiring member of parliament, Richard Strong. He described himself as a "thorough Home Ruler" and a supporter of William Gladstone. Bayley had two opponents: John Richards Kelly of the Conservative Party and William Pirie Duff, described as a "Dissentient Liberal". Bayley was defeated, with Kelly gaining the seat with a majority of 365 votes.