James Duckworth

James Duckworth JP (1869 – 28 December 1937), was a British company director and Liberal Party politician who served as Mayor of Rochdale.

Background Duckworth was the eldest son of Sir James Duckworth, who had founded a chain a grocery shops known popularly as "Jimmy Duck's" and a Liberal Member of Parliament. He was educated at Ashville College, Harrogate and Manchester University. In 1894 he married Mary Petrie of Rochdale. They had four sons and one daughter. He was appointed a Justice of the peace in 1911, serving in the Rochdale area. He was an Honorary Captain, 6th Battalion of the Lancashire Voluntary Regiment.

Professional career Duckworth was a director of various companies in Lancashire. The family business "James Duckworth Ltd" was incorporated in 1895 as a limited company, with him as vice-chairman. In 1916 he worked for the Ministry of Food in London.

Duckworth remained involved in Rochdale municipal politics. In November 1937 he was elected Mayor of Rochdale. He died the following month, and in an unprecedented move, the council chose his wife Mary to succeed him, even though she was not a Councillor or Alderman. She was Rochdale's first ever female mayor. She served out the remainder of her husband's term of office and soon after won a by-election to become Rochdale's first ever woman councillor.