Joseph Leicester

Joseph Lynn Leicester (24 December 1825 – 13 October 1903) was an English glass blower and Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1885 to 1886.

Early life Born in Warrington, he was the son of Thomas Leicester, a glassblower. In 1850 he moved to Lambeth in London,

Political career In the 1885 general election, Leicester was elected Member of Parliament for West Ham South but in the 1886 general election, he was defeated by the Conservative candidate. He made four contributions during his year in parliament. At the 1892 general election he was again chosen to contest the West Ham South seat for the Liberals.

Leicester died at the age of 78 and was buried in Nunhead Cemetery. His gravestone noted:

"From a poor working lad he became an eloquent advocate of temperance, a master craftsman in the art of glass making, and all his life took a foremost part in the social elevation of his fellow workmen, who did honour to themselves and him, by returning him as a Member of Parliament"

"Write him down as one who "loved" his fellow man"