William Beckett-Denison

William Beckett-Denison (10 September 1826 – 23 November 1890) was an English banker and politician affiliated with the Conservative Party. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) in two separate periods between 1876 and 1890.

**Early Life and Education**

Born William Beckett on 10 September 1826, he was the third son and the second surviving son of Sir Edmund Beckett, 4th Baronet of Grimthorpe, Yorkshire, and his wife Maria Beverley, daughter of William Beverley of Beverley. He received education at Rugby School and later attended Trinity College, Cambridge.

**Banking Career**

In 1847, at age 21, Beckett joined his father's banking firm, Beckett & Co. He advanced within the company, becoming a partner and, in 1874, was appointed head of the firm with operations in Leeds, Doncaster, and Retford. He also became head of the English County Bankers' Association and led the East Riding Bank at Beverley and Malton following the retirement of Leslie Melville.

**Military and Public Service**

He held the rank of captain in the Yorkshire Hussar Yeomanry Cavalry. Additionally, he served as a Justice of the Peace (J.P.) and Deputy Lieutenant for the West Riding of Yorkshire.

**Publishing Industry**

In 1865, Beckett became the first chairman of Yorkshire Post Newspapers, a publishing company. Successive chairmen from the Beckett family managed the company until 1950, when Rupert Beckett retired.

**Political Career**

In 1876, Beckett was elected as a Conservative MP for East Retford, a position he held until 1880 when he lost the seat. He was subsequently elected in the 1885 general election as MP for Bassetlaw, representing this constituency until his death in 1890.

**Personal Life**

In 1855, Beckett married the Honorable Helen Duncombe, the third daughter of William Duncombe, 2nd Baron Feversham, and Lady Louisa Stewart, daughter of George Stewart, 8th Earl of Galloway. The couple resided at Meanwood Park in Leeds and at Nun Appleton in Yorkshire. They had at least seven children:

- Ernest William Beckett (1856–1917), who later became the 2nd Baron Grimthorpe.

- Helen Louisa Beckett-Denison (1858–1935).

- Adeline Gertrude Beckett-Denison (1859–1902), married Sir Frederick Milner, 7th Baronet.

- Violet Katharine Beckett-Denison (1860–1883), married Reginald Walkeline Chandos-Pole, grandson of Leicester Stanhope, 5th Earl of Harrington.

- Maud Augusta Beckett-Denison (1864–1927), married Lord Henry Nevill, later 3rd Marquess of Abergavenny.

- William Gervase Beckett (1866–1937), who became Sir Gervase Beckett, 1st Baronet of Kirkdale Manor.

- Hon. Rupert Evelyn Beckett (1870–1955), who married Muriel Helen Florence Paget, granddaughter of Henry Paget, 2nd Marquess of Anglesey.

**Death**

William Beckett-Denison died at age 64 when he fell under a train at Wimborne. On 23 November 1890, he arrived at Wimborne railway station intending to transfer trains for Bournemouth. While waiting and walking beside the track to return to the station, a strong wind blew his hat off, causing him to fall under an oncoming train. His body was severely damaged and carried approximately 56 feet.

**Legal Incident Postmortem**

Following his death, Mrs. Gertrude Beatrice Brinkworth alleged that she was his mistress and the mother of his adopted children. She sued his executors, receiving some compensation. However, the case was brought before the court, and the jury declared her claim to be a 'swindle', dismissing her allegations prior to the conclusion of the evidence.