Hugh Rathbone

Who was Hugh Rathbone?

Hugh Reynolds Rathbone was a British merchant and politician, who sat as a Member of Parliament and was a member of the noted Rathbone family.

He was the eldest son of Richard Reynolds Rathbone and Frances Susannah.

He was educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge, obtaining his B.A. in 1884 and his M.A. in 1888.

In October 1888 he married Emily Evelyn Rathbone, his cousin, the daughter of William Rathbone VI and had four children:

Hannah Mary

Richard Reynolds

Edward Reynolds

Hugo Ponsonby

He was a grain merchant, becoming a partner of the Liverpool firm of Ross T. Smyth and Co. in 1889, until his retirement in 1924. He served as a member of the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies during the First World War, involved in the purchase and distribrution of large supplies of grain for the use of Great Britain and the Allies. He represented the Liverpool Corn Trade Association on the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, 1905-1933.

He was closely involved with the University of Liverpool. On the founding of the University in 1903 he became its first treasurer, was President of the Council from 1918–1924, and in 1920 was elected Pro-Chancellor. He made many gifts to the University, including parts of the family Liverpool estate, Greenbank, to provide student accommodation.