Sidney Gedge M. P. on a tricycle at Mitcham Hall
| Area | Mitcham |
|---|---|
| Copyright 1 | London Borough of Merton |
| Picture Reference | Mit_TomFrancis_Ln19 |
| Original Format | Photo |
| Photographer / Origin of Photo | Tom Francis |
| Notes / History | Sydney Gedge (16 October 1829 – 6 April 1923) was a British Conservative politician and prominent lay member of the Church of England. Gedge lived at Mitcham Hall and sometimes cycled to his London office. Born in North Runcton, Norfolk, he was the eldest son of the Rev. Sydney Gedge, and was educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. Gedge first stood for election to parliament in 1880, but failed to be elected at Cambridge. Five years later he was the Conservative candidate for Luton, but again was unsuccessful. In 1886 he was elected as one of two Conservative Members of Parliament (MPs) for Stockport, but was defeated at the subsequent 1892 general election. He returned to the House of Commons in 1895 as member for Walsall, defeating the sitting Liberal Arthur Hayter. In 1900 Hayter regained the Walsall seat, ending Gedge's parliamentary career. |
