William Gray

Who was William Gray?

William Gray was an English Conservative Party politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1857 to 1874.

Gray was the second son of William Gray of Wheatfield, near Bolton, and his wife Frances Rasbotham, daughter of Dorning Rasbotham of Birch House, near Bolton. He was educated privately and in 1835 was cornet in the Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry Cavalry. He was captain in the 4th Royal Lancashire Militia, and Lieutenant-Colonel of the 27th Lancashire Rifle Volunteers.

From 1850 to 1852, Gray was Mayor of Bolton. He was a Deputy Lieutenant and J.P. for Lancaster.

At the 1857 general election Gray was elected as a Member of Parliament for Bolton. He held the seat until he stood down at the 1874 general election. He was a liberal Conservative and was in favour of education based on religion.

Gray lived at Darcy Lever Hall, near Bolton, in Lancashire and Farley Hall in Berkshire. He died at the age of 80.

Gray married Magdalene Robins, daughter of William Robins of West Kirby Cheshire, in 1861.