The Cotman Collection | Kitson, James Bart., M.P. Sir, 1835 - 1911

Sir James Kitson

1835 - 1911


Mayor of Leeds in 1897. Sir James Kitson was a senior partner at the Monksbridge Iron & Steel Co. He was the last Mayor of Leeds in 1896 and the first Lord Mayor in 1897. He was created an Honorary Freeman of Leeds on May 23rd 1906 and was raised to the peerage as Lord Airdale in 1907. He died on March 22nd 1911 aged 75 and was buried at St John's Church, Roundhay

Kitson, James Jr, Lord Airedale (1835 -)
Engineer b. Leeds. Educated at Wakefield Proprietary School, graduated with D.Sc. from University College, London. Also honorary D.Sc from Leeds University 1904.

1854-1911 Chairman of Monk Bridge Iron & Steel Works, bringing sales and marketing expertise to partnership with brother Frederick Kitson. 1876 joins father at Airedale Foundry to provide financial acumen. President of Iron & Steel Institute, Chairman of Baku Russian Petroleum Co., London and North-Eastern Steamship Co., Yorkshire Bank Co., Director of London City and Midland Bank, North Eastern Railway, member of Instit Mech Engineers and the Society of the Chemical Industry.

The leading power in late 19th Century Leeds' Liberal Party, becoming President of National Liberal Federation, though represented Colne Valley as an MP 1892-1907.. 1898 Leeds' first Lord Mayor. 1886 became 1st Baron Kitson ,1907 created 1st Baron Airedale.

1860 m. Emily Christina Cliff, daughter of pottery manufacturer Joseph Cliff. 1881 second marriage to Mary Laura Smith. Lived at Gledhow Hall, Leeds.
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