George Augustus Pilkington

Who was George Augustus Pilkington?

Sir George Augustus Pilkington was an English doctor and Liberal politician.

Pilkington was born at Upwell, Cambridgeshire, as George Augustus Coombe, the son of R. G. Coombe a surgeon. He was educated privately and trained for medicine at Guy's Hospital, London. He became MRCS Eng and LSA in 1870. He practiced medicine in Southport from 1870 to 1884 when he was House Surgeon to Southport Infirmary, Medical Officer of the North Meols District, Ormskirk Union, Surgeon to the Royal Naval Artillery Volunteers, and Medical Officer to the Southport Convalescent Hospital and the Southport Infirmary. He married Mary Elizabeth Pilkington, daughter of James Pilkington, former MP for Blackburn in 1876 and changed his name to Pilkington on the death of his brother-in-law.

Pilkington was Mayor of Southport from 1884 to 1885 In 1885, he was elected Member of Parliament for Southport but lost the seat in 1886. He was a councillor and alderman on Lancashire County Council, Deputy Lieutenant, J.P. and Honorary Colonel of the 3rd Liverpool Volunteer Regiment.

Pilkington was knighted in 1893.