Walter Russell Rea, 1st Baron Rea (18 May 1873 – 26 May 1948), was a British merchant banker and Liberal politician.

Early life and career Rea was the son of Russell Rea, and was educated at University College School in Hampstead and "abroad".

Political career He was elected to the House of Commons for Scarborough in 1906, a seat he held until 1918, and served under H. H. Asquith as a Junior Lord of the Treasury from 1915 to 1916. In 1918, he stood for election in Oldham, coming fourth behind the Unionist and Coalition Liberal candidates:

He later represented Bradford North between 1923 and 1924 and Dewsbury between 1931 and 1935. From 1931 to 1932 he held office in the National Government of Ramsay MacDonald as Comptroller of the Household. Rea was created a Baronet, of Eskdale in the County of Cumberland, in 1935 and in 1937 he was raised to the peerage as Baron Rea, of Eskdale in the County of Cumberland.

Elections contested UK Parliament elections Date of election Constituency Party Votes % Result 1906 Scarborough Liberal 3,128 54.4 Elected 1910 (Jan) Scarborough Liberal 3,011 52.5 Elected 1910 (Dec) Scarborough Liberal 2,763 50.5 Elected 1918 Oldham Liberal 9,323 12.1* Not Elected (4th)* 1920 Nelson and Colne Liberal 5,805 20.4 Not Elected (3rd) 1922 Bradford North Liberal 9,008 32.0 Not Elected (2nd) 1923 Bradford North Liberal 9,365 34.0 Elected 1924 Bradford North Liberal 8,007 27.7 Not Elected (3rd) 1929 Taunton Liberal 11,121 33.9 Not Elected (2nd) 1931 Dewsbury Liberal 19,463 63.7 Elected 1935 Dewsbury Liberal 6,933 23.3 Not Elected (3rd)

Personal life Lord Rea married, firstly, Evelyn, daughter of J. J. Muirhead, in 1896. After her death in 1930 he married, secondly, Jemima, daughter of Reverend Alexander Ewing, in 1931. He died in May 1948, aged 75, and was succeeded in his titles by his eldest son from his first marriage, Philip, who became Liberal leader in the House of Lords. His daughter Elisabeth, also from his first marriage, was married to the industrialist Sir Michael Clapham. Lady Rea died in 1964.

In later life he was chairman of Rea Brothers, merchant bankers.

References

UK General Elections since 1832

Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990.

External links