Sir William Mount, 1st Baronet

Sir William Arthur Mount, 1st Baronet, CBE, DL, was born on 3 August 1866 in Hartley, Hampshire, and died on 8 December 1930. He was a British politician affiliated with the Conservative Party and served as the Member of Parliament for the Newbury constituency.

Early Life and Education:

He was the eldest son of William George Mount of Wasing Place, Berkshire, and Marianne Emily Clutterbuck. Mount received his education at Eton College and later attended New College, Oxford, where he achieved honors in classics and modern history.

Legal and Political Career:

In 1893, Mount was called to the Bar by the Inner Temple. Between 1896 and 1903, he served as assistant private secretary to two Chancellors of the Exchequer: Sir Michael Hicks Beach, who later became Viscount St. Aldwyn, and Charles Thomson Ritchie, who later became Lord Ritchie of Dundee (from October 1902).

Mount entered the House of Commons representing the South division of Berkshire, also known as Newbury, after his father stepped down from the seat in 1900. He held this position until 1906 when he was defeated by a Liberal opponent. He contested the seat again in January 1910 and was successful, serving until his resignation in 1922.

Public Service in Berkshire:

Apart from his parliamentary career, Mount was a deputy lieutenant and magistrate for Berkshire. In 1926, he was elected chairman of the Berkshire County Council.

Honors:

He was created a baronet in the 1921 Birthday Honours.

Family:

Mount married Hilda Lucy Adelaide Low on 9 November 1899 in Kensington, London. Hilda was born on 23 May 1875 to William Malcolm Low and Lady Ida Matilda Alice Feilding. She died on 3 April 1950. They had three children: Sir William Mount, 2nd Baronet; Robert Francis Mount; and George Richard Mount.

Death:

Sir William Mount died on 8 December 1930 while crossing a meadow at Aldermaston. He was riding with the South Berkshire hunt from his residence at Wasing Place at the time of his death.