John Bethell, 1st Baron Bethell


John Henry Bethell, 1st Baron Bethell, known as Sir John Bethell, 1st Baronet, from 1911 to 1922, was a British banker and Liberal politician.

Early life

Bethell was the son of George Bethell and his wife Frances, and was educated at King's College London. His younger brother was Sir Thomas Bethell.

Career

He was a Director of Barclays Bank and of the Royal Exchange Assurance Corporation and also served twice as Mayor of East Ham and twice of West Ham.
In November 1902, Bethell was adopted as the Liberal party candidate for Romford, and he was elected to the House of Commons from that constituency in the following election in 1906. He held this seat until 1918, and then represented East Ham North between 1918 and 1922. He was created a Baronet, of Romford in the County of Essex, in 1911 and in 1922 he was raised to the peerage as Baron Bethell, of Romford in the County of Essex.

Marriage and issue

Lord Bethell married Florence, daughter of James Woolley Wyles, in 1895. They had three sons and three daughters:
Lord Bethell died in a London nursing home, aged 83, and was succeeded in his titles by his second son, John. Lady Bethell died in 1957.