John Albert Bright

As a prominent member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), John Bright employed Lydia Rous as a teacher for his children.

The Tories wished to nominate their own candidate to fight the by-election in Birmingham Central and the Liberal Unionists, led by the charismatic Joseph Chamberlain had no desire to cede the seat to them.

[9][11] With great reluctance the Tories accepted that Bright should be the Unionist candidate, although some local Conservatives were so indignant they resigned their party posts.

Bright easily won the by-election, held on 15 April 1889, against the Gladstonian Liberal William Phipson Beale by 5,621 votes to 2,561, a majority of 3,060 or 37.4% of the total poll.

[13] Bright held Birmingham Central until the 1895 general election when he stood down [6] probably under pressure from Chamberlain who felt he had not come up to his desired standards.

He was Liberal candidate at Montgomery Boroughs in the 1900 general election, narrowly failing to gain the seat, losing by just 169 votes.

In their assessment of Bright’s contribution to Parliamentary affairs, The Times reported that he was a useful but inconspicuous member, doing good work in committee, especially in shaping such measures as the Children Act of 1908.