W. C. Leng
Sir William C. Leng | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | 20 February 1902 | (aged 77)
Occupation | Newspaper publisher |
Known for | Sheffield Telegraph |
Sir William Christopher Leng, known as W. C. Leng (25 January 1825 – 20 February 1902) was a
Life
Leng was born in Hull on 25 January 1825. He was oldest son of Adam Leng of Hull, and Mary, daughter of Christopher Luccock, of Malton, architect. Sir John Leng was a younger brother.
He was educated in Hull, before being apprenticed as a pharmacist and setting up his own business. During this period, he contributed anonymously to the Hull Free Press, calling for reforms such as slum clearance and ship safety. He is believed to have inspired Samuel Plimsoll to take up this second cause.[1]
Leng's family was
In 1864, Leng became managing editor and joint proprietor of the
Shortly after Leng arrived in Sheffield, the city was struck by the Great Sheffield Flood. Following this disaster, he campaigned for the municipalisation of the city's water supply. His reputation established by this activity, he was able to publicise and investigate the Sheffield Outrages in 1867.[2]
Leng never took political office, but became the leading figure in Sheffield Conservatism. During the last quarter of the nineteenth century, the Conservatives became the dominant group on
Politically, he was a supporter of
Leng was knighted in 1887, on the recommendation of
He died at Sheffield, on 20 February 1902. He was buried in Ecclesall churchyard. [1]
Family
He married in 1860, Anne (died 1893), daughter of David Stark of Ruthven, Forfarshire, and widow of Harry Cook of Sandhurst, Australia. His two sons, C. D. Leng and W. St. Quentin Leng, were partners in the Sheffield Telegraph. [1]
Artistic recognition
A portrait by Hugh Ford Crighton was commissioned by public subscription in 1868.[3]
Notes
- Attribution
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Millar, Alexander Hastie (1912). "Leng, William Christopher". In Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography (2nd supplement). London: Smith, Elder & Co.
References
- Porter, Dilwyn (2004). "Leng, Sir William Christopher". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press.