Herbert Craig

Herbert James Craig (30 September 1869-18 March 1934) was a British Liberal Party politician, businessman and barrister.

Background

He was born the son of James Craig MP and Kate Sophia Hould. He was educated at Rugby School and Trinity College, Cambridge. He married in 1909, Elsie Rundall.

Career

He was Called to Bar, Inner Temple, in 1892 and practised on the North-Eastern Circuit. He served as a Justice of the Peace in Northumberland. He served as Liberal MP for Tynemouth from 1906–18. He was elected, standing for the first time, gaining the seat from the Conservatives;

General Election January 1906: Tynemouth

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Herbert James Craig	4,286	54.9
	Conservative	Frederick Leverton-Harris	3,522	45.1
Turnout				86.6
Majority			764	9.8
	Liberal gain from Conservative		Swing

He was re-elected at both 1910 General Elections;

General Election January 1910: Tynemouth

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Herbert James Craig	4,487	52.9
	Conservative	E.G. Spencer-Churchill	3,993	47.1
Turnout				83.3
Majority			494	5.8
	Liberal hold		Swing

General Election December 1910: Tynemouth

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Herbert James Craig	4,106	51.1
	Conservative	Charles Percy	3,939	48.9
Turnout				79.4
Majority			177	2.2
	Liberal hold		Swing

In 1918 when Liberal MPs were forced to choose between support for Lloyd George's government or Asquith's opposition, he was absent from the Maurice debate division. He then sought government endorsement for his candidature but the 'coupon' was issued to his Unionist opponent. He lost his seat at the 1918 General Election;

General Election 1918: Tynemouth

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	Charles Percy	5,883	34.7
	Liberal	Herbert James Craig	5,434	32.2
	Ind. Labour Party	George Harold Humphries	2,566	15.2
	Independent	Henry Gregg	2,495	14.8
	National	Dixon Scott	517	3.1
Turnout				63.8
Majority			449	2.5
	Conservative gain from Liberal		Swing

He attempted to regain his seat without success;

General Election 1922: Tynemouth

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	Alexander West Russell	11.244	48.1
	Liberal	Herbert James Craig	6,787	29.0
	Labour	George Harold Humphrey	5,362	22.9
Turnout				83.5
Majority			4,457	19.1
	Conservative hold		Swing

He did not stand for parliament again. He was head of the firm, Borries, Craig & Co., Ltd, export merchants and shipbrokers, of Newcastle upon Tyne. He was a Commander in the Royal Naval Volunteers and commanded the Tyne Division from 1920–29. He was an Aide-de-camp from 1926–29. He was awarded a CBE in 1929.

Sources

• Who Was Who
• British parliamentary election results 1885-1918, Craig, F. W. S.

External links

• Who Was Who; http://www.ukwhoswho.com