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William Scholefield

1809 – 1867

British politician

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About William Scholefield

Lived 1809 – 1867 (aged 57–58). William Scholefield was a British politician and businessperson.

William Scholefield (August 1809 – 9 July 1867) was a British businessman and Liberal politician. He was a leading figure in the politics of the rapidly growing industrial town of Birmingham in the mid-nineteenth century, serving as the first mayor in 1838–39, and one of the constituency's two Members of Parliament from 1847 to 1867.

Early life and family Scholefield was born in Birmingham, and was the second son of Joshua Scholefield and his wife Mary née Cotterill. His father was an iron manufacturer, merchant and banker who became one of the town's first members of parliament in 1832. The government of the town was in hands of a manorial court leet, presided over by a high bailiff.

Parliamentary politics In July 1844 William Scholefield's father died, causing a vacancy in the parliamentary representation of the borough. Scholefield contested the resulting by-election, but was defeated by the Conservative candidate Richard Spooner.

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Important facts

Born
1809
Birth century
Positions held
Member of the 19th Parliament of the United Kingdom, Member of the 18th Parliament of the United Kingdom, Member of the 17th Parliament of the United Kingdom, Member of the 16th Parliament of the United Kingdom

People in William Scholefield's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Scholefield's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Scholefield?

British politician

When was William Scholefield born?

William Scholefield was born in 1809.

When did William Scholefield die?

William Scholefield died on 9 July 1867.

What was William Scholefield's occupation?

William Scholefield was a politician and businessperson.

What nationality was William Scholefield?

William Scholefield was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Scholefield

· Wikidata: Q8018184

· DBpedia: William Scholefield

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Scholefield. https://biography.guide/william-scholefield/

MLA: "William Scholefield." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-scholefield/.

Chicago: "William Scholefield." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-scholefield/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-21 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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