John Hinds

Who was John Hinds?

John Hinds was a Welsh businessman and politician.

Hinds was born at Cwnin Farm near Carmarthen, the son of William Hinds and Mary née Jones. He was apprenticed as a draper to his uncle who had a business in Carmarthen Town. In 1887 he moved to Blackheath in the south eastern suburbs of London where he founded the highly successful drapery firm of Hinds and Company. At various times he held the offices of chairman of the Drapers’ Fire Insurance Corporation and president of the Drapers’ Chamber of Trade.

Hinds was an active member of the Liberal Party, at one time holding the presidency of the Blackheath Liberal Association. At the December 1910 general election Hinds was chosen as the Liberal candidate for the seat of West Carmarthenshire, holding the seat until its abolition in 1918.

In 1917 he was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Carmarthenshire, a post he held until his death.

At the 1918 general election he was elected member of parliament for the new constituency of Carmarthen as a Coalition Liberal. By the time of the 1922 general election a formal split had occurred in the Liberal Party, and Hinds was elected as a National Liberal under the leadership of David Lloyd-George.