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John Cadman, 1st Baron Cadman

1877 – 1941

British mining engineer

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About John Cadman, 1st Baron Cadman

Lived 1877 – 1941 (aged 63). John Cadman, 1st Baron Cadman was a British entrepreneur, engineer and politician.

John Cadman, 1st Baron Cadman (7 September 1877 – 31 May 1941), was a British mining engineer, petroleum technologist and public servant.

Early life Cadman was educated at Armstrong College, University of Durham, and received a first class Honours in Geology in 1899.

Career Cadman served as Inspector of Mines in Trinidad and Tobago in the first decade of the 20th century. At that time Trinidad and Tobago was a British Colony. As Inspector of Mines he was responsible for the commercialization of Trinidad's oil in 1907. In this effort Cadman was joined by Arthur "Beeby" Thompson who was an engineer with oilfield experience in Russia.

Cadman later went on to teach petroleum engineering at Birmingham University in the UK. Cadman is credited with creating the course "Petroleum Engineering". He was director of the Petroleum Executive.

He was well known for his love of shellfish.

He was later Chairman of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company in the 1930s. He expanded production fourfold and eventually joined a venture by Henri Deterding of Royal Dutch/Shell to stabilize petroleum prices.

Marriage and family Cadman married Lilian Harrigan in 1907. The couple had four children, daughters Marguerite and Sybil, and sons John and Denys.

Honours He was created CMG in 1916, KCMG in 1918 and GCMG in 1929. On 7 June 1937 he was raised to the peerage as Baron Cadman, of Silverdale in the County of Stafford.

In 1940 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.

On 17 May 2007 Silverdale Parish Council voted to name a new street "Cadman Close" in honour of Lord Cadman.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Durham University
Positions held
Member of the House of Lords
Employers
University of Birmingham
Awards
Fellow of the Royal Society; Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George

People in John Cadman, 1st Baron Cadman's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John Cadman, 1st Baron Cadman's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Cadman, 1st Baron Cadman?

British mining engineer (1877-1941)

When was John Cadman, 1st Baron Cadman born?

John Cadman, 1st Baron Cadman was born on 7 September 1877 in Staffordshire.

When did John Cadman, 1st Baron Cadman die?

John Cadman, 1st Baron Cadman died on 31 May 1941.

What was John Cadman, 1st Baron Cadman's occupation?

John Cadman, 1st Baron Cadman was an entrepreneur, engineer and politician.

What nationality was John Cadman, 1st Baron Cadman?

John Cadman, 1st Baron Cadman was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Cadman, 1st Baron Cadman

· Wikidata: Q6224714

· DBpedia: John Cadman, 1st Baron Cadman

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Cadman, 1st Baron Cadman. https://biography.guide/john-cadman-1st-baron-cadman/

MLA: "John Cadman, 1st Baron Cadman." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-cadman-1st-baron-cadman/.

Chicago: "John Cadman, 1st Baron Cadman." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-cadman-1st-baron-cadman/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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