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Michael Arthur Bass
He brewed lots of beer, made stacks of cash, was a keen railway
enthusiast (helping restrict working hours in the interest of
safety), contributed generously to civic projects and was an MP
and peer of the realm. But mostly, it was the beer!
Michael Arthur Bass was born in 1837, the oldest son of Michael
Thomas Bass II. He succeeded his father as Chairman of the Directors
of Bass, Ratcliff & Gretton, upon his father's death in 1884.
Like his father before him, he became an MP in 1865 and in 1887
he became Lord Burton. Michael Arthur died in 1909, the last member
of the Bass family to serve on the board of the company.
Michael, the oldest son of Michael Thomas Bass II and Eliza Jane
Bass (nee Arden) was educated at Burton Grammar School, like his
father before him and then went on to Harrow and Trinity College
Cambridge, where he gained an M.A. Degree. He went on to enter
his father's business, becoming a partner in 1863. He entered
parliament in 1865, when he was elected Liberal MP for the Borough
of Stafford, remaining there until 1868, when a vacancy in the
East Staffordshire Division saw him win election there.
He was to remain an MP until he was made Baron Burton of Rangemore
and Burton upon Trent in 1887, having already been made a baronet
in 1882. As a brewer, it was not easy though for Michael Arthur
or indeed his father, Michael Thomas II, to be Liberal MPs, as
there was a strong temperance element to the party, at this time.
This was not resolved for Michael Arthur Bass until he left the
party, in 1894.
In 1869, Michael Arthur Bass married Harriet Georgina Thornewill
and their only child, Nellie Lisa, was born in 1873. Nellie married
James Evan Bruce Baillie of Douchfour, in 1894.
Like his father before him, Michael Arthur Bass was a charitable
man, making many fine contributions to the town, including the
Ferry Bridge, in 1889; the St. Paul's Institute and the Liberal
Club, which he gave to the town for use as a Town Hall, in 1894
and St. Chad's church, which he sadly did not live to see completed
in 1911.
Lord Burton had an estate at Rangemore and also a London home,
known as Chesterfield House, in Mayfair, which he bought in 1894.
He also leased the Glenquoich estate in Scotland, which provided
him with ideal facilities for shooting and fishing.
Lord Burton was also a good friend of King Edward VII and because
of this the King visited Rangemore, the town and Bass' Brewery
in February 1902, beginning the brew of the now famous King's
Ale.
Despite failing health, Lord Burton continued to chair meetings
of the Bass, Ratcliff & Gretton board, but on 1st February
1909, he died at his London home, following a kidney operation.
He was later buried with his father and mother, at Rangemore.
As a memorial to a great man, it was decided that a bronze statue
of Lord Burton should be raised in King Edward Square, in front
of the Town Hall. The statue, by F. W. Poneroy was unveiled on
13th May 1911, watched by the thousands who came to honour one
of the town's major benefactors.
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