Matthias Attwood

Matthias Attwood
Member of Parliament forWhitehaven
In office 15 December 1832 – 28 August 1847
Preceded by	New constituency
Succeeded by	Robert Hildyard
Member of Parliament forBoroughbridge
In office 2 August 1830 – 3 December 1832 Serving withCharles Wetherell
Preceded by	George Mundy Henry Dawkins
Succeeded by	Constituency abolished
Member of Parliament forCallington
In office 12 June 1820 – 31 July 1830 Serving withAlexander Baring(1826–1830) William Thompson(1820–1826)
Preceded by	Edward Pyndar Lygon Christopher Robinson
Succeeded by	Bingham Baring Alexander Baring
Member of Parliament forFowey
In office 24 March 1819 – 11 May 1819 Serving withAlexander Glynn Campbell
Preceded by	George Lucy Alexander Glynn Campbell
Succeeded by	Ernest Edgcumbe Alexander Glynn Campbell
Personal details
Born	24 November 1779
Died	11 November 1851(1851-11-11)(aged 71)
Nationality	British
Political party	Conservative/Tory
Spouse	Susannah Twells ​ (m.1806)​
Children	Matthias Wolverley Attwood
Parent(s)	Matthias Attwood Ann Adams
Relatives	Thomas Attwood(brother)

Matthias Attwood(24 November 1779 – 11 November 1851)was aBritishConservativeandTorypolitician, and banker.

Attwood was the second son of ironmaster Matthias Attwood of Hawne House, Halesowen,Worcestershireand Ann née Adams, and the brother ofThomas Attwood.In 1806, he married Susannah, daughter of William Twells ofBirmingham.They had at least one son,Matthias Wolverley Attwood,who became ConservativeMember of Parliament(MP) forGreenwich.

He joined the family bank—Spooner, Attwood and Holman—as a partner, and in 1810 and 1811 he became a prominent pamphleteering opponent of the resumption of cash payments, converting publicist William Cobbett, while his brother, Thomas, led the opposition to the orders in council at Birmingham. From 1820, he began to promote and direct numerous public companies.

His campaigning led to Attwood's decision to stand for election to parliament, and he was recommended to the Tory MP forFowey,George Lucy.While Lucy was not initially convinced, only Attwood was found to be willing to risk the election and shoulder the expense of the canvas. Lucy also believed Attwood would support the government on all matters except resumption, and had no qualms about voting againstCatholic relief.At aby-election in 1819,he was successful but, less than two months later, he was unseated in favour ofErnest Edgcumbewithout being able to do anything in parliament.

Attwood returned to parliament the next year after succeeding, after anelection petitionarising from the1820 election,to take the seat ofCallingtonand held that seat for 10 years. In1830,he switched his attention toBoroughbridge,where he was elected as one of two members. When this seat was abolished at the1832 general election,he became MP forWhitehaven,and held that seat for 15 years until 1847, when he did not seek re-election.

External links

• Hansard1803–2005:contributions in Parliament by Mr Matthias Attwood