Arnold Muir Wilson

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Arnold Muir Wilson (1857 – 1 October 1909) was a British solicitor and politician.

Arnold Muir Wilson, 1857-1909

Born in

mountaineer.[2]

In 1891, Wilson objected to an attack on him in the Sheffield Anarchist, and successfully sued its editor, John Creaghe, for libel. Although he won the case, no damages were awarded, as the judge contended that the newspaper could inflict injury only on those who read it.[3]

In 1898, Wilson was appointed as an honorary consul for Serbia, and he attempted to use the position to promote British trade with the nation.[4] In 1904, he travelled to Belgrade and worked with Frank Mottershaw to film the coronation of Peter I. This is the oldest surviving film shot in Serbia.[5]

In the 1900s, Wilson became known for his outspoken attacks on well-known figures in Sheffield.

Lib-Lab councillor Charles Hobson appeared to have received a bribe for making a favourable land deal, Wilson brought a private prosecution against him. Hobson was found guilty and sentenced to three months in prison, but public opinion was that the sentence was harsh.[6]

Wilson stood for the Conservatives in

protectionist platform, under the slogan "Vote for the Tory Chicken!! Kill the London Cuckoo!!".[7] He took a strong fourth place, with 21.7% of the votes cast.[8] The week after the election, he called a public meeting, at which he complained that he had spent £1,100 on contesting the 1906 and 1909 elections, and that "if that is not enough to buy the seat of Attercliffe, I don't know what is".[9] Later in the month, he sued the Conservative candidate for assault on the election night, and for damage to his bowler hat,[10] but the case was dismissed before he was able to give evidence.[11]

Wilson died in October 1909, in Vancouver.[11] His daughter became a prominent author under the pen-name Romer Wilson, while his great-nephew was the author and journalist Roger Redfern.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c J. H. Stainton, The Making of Sheffield 1865-1914
  2. ^ a b Roger Redfern, "Country diary: South Yorkshire", The Guardian, 13 October 2009
  3. ^ (untitled article), Poverty Bay Herald, 22 October 1891, p.4
  4. ^ Slobodan G. Markovich, "Perceptions of Serbia and the Balkans in the British Press", p.108
  5. ^ Radenko Rankovic, "History of Serbian Cinematography Archived 2009-08-14 at the Wayback Machine"
  6. ^ Helen Mathers, "Hobson, Charles (1845-1923)", Dictionary of Labour Biography, vol.VII, pp.121-123
  7. ^ Sources for the Study of the election of Sheffield's first Labour Member of Parliament, 1909[permanent dead link], Sheffield City Council
  8. ^ "Labour wins a by-election", Feilding Star, 6 May 1909, p.3
  9. Manchester Guardian
    , 8 May 1909
  10. Manchester Guardian
    , 18 May 1909
  11. ^
    Manchester Guardian
    , 4 October 1909
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