Charles Lawrence, 1st Baron Lawrence of Kingsgate

Charles Napier Lawrence, 1st Baron Lawrence of Kingsgate (27 May 1855 – 17 December 1927), styled The Honourable Charles Lawrence between 1869 and 1923, was a British businessman and railway executive.

Background and education

Lawrence was the third son of John Lawrence, 1st Baron Lawrence, and Harriette Katherine, daughter of Reverend Richard Hamilton. John Lawrence, 2nd Baron Lawrence, and Henry Arnold Lawrence were his brothers. He was educated at Marlborough College.^[1]

Career

Lawrence was Chairman of the London and North Western Railway from 1921 to 1923 and of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway from 1923 to 1924 as well as Chairman of the North British and Mercantile Insurance Company and the Antofagasta and Bolivia Railway.^[1] In 1915 his portrait was commissioned by the shareholders of Antofagasta and Bolivia Railway in commemoration of his chairmanship of the company, a position he had held since 1908. The portrait was painted by Walter William Ouless.^[2] In 1923 he was elevated to the peerage as Baron Lawrence of Kingsgate, of Holland House, Kingsgate, in the County of Kent.^[3] He is recorded as having spoken twice in the House of Lords.^[4]

Personal life

Lord Lawrence of Kingsgate married Catherine Sumner, daughter of F. W. Sumner, of New York City, in 1881. There were no children from the marriage. He died in December 1927, aged 72, when the barony became extinct. Lady Lawrence of Kingsgate died in November 1934.^[1]

References

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Lord Lawrence of Kingsgate