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Entry TypePerson
SurnameHuskisson
ForenamesWilliam
Epithetpolitician
Dates1770-1830
Gender IdentityMale
BiographyWilliam Huskisson was born in Malvern, Worcestershire and educated at Appleby Grammar School on the Leicestershire/Derbyshire border. From 1783, he lived in Parish with Dr Richard Gem, his great-uncle and remained there until 1792. Whilst there he became the protege of the British Ambassador, the Marquess of Stafford, and on his return to London, his fluency in French led to the Home Secretary, Henry Dundas, appointing him to oversee the execution of the Aliens Act. In 1795 he was appointed Under-Secretary at War. Huskisson was Member of Parliament for a number of seats over his career; Morpeth in 1795, Harwich in 1807; Chichester in 1812 and Liverpool in 1823.

On 15 September 1830, at the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, Huskisson was struck by the Rocket steam locomotive, suffering serious injuries, and died later the same night. For this reason, he is considered the first railway passenger casualty in the world.
Key EventsFeb 1823-Sep 1827 President of the Board of Trade
Sep 1827-May 1828 Secretary of State for War and the Colonies
Sep 1827-Jan 1828 Leader of the House of Commons
Authorised Form of NameHuskisson; William (1770-1830); politician

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