Sir Joseph Dodge Weston (1822 – 5 March 1895) was an English merchant and shipping magnate and

Liberal Liberal or liberalism may refer to: Politics * a supporter of liberalism ** Liberalism by country * an adherent of a Liberal Party * Liberalism (international relations) * Sexually liberal feminism * Social liberalism Arts, entertainment and m ...

politician who was active in local government and sat in the

House of Commons The House of Commons is the name for the elected lower house of the bicameral parliaments of the United Kingdom and Canada. In both of these countries, the Commons holds much more legislative power than the nominally upper house of parliament. ...

in two periods between 1885 and 1895. Weston was born in

Kingsdown, Bristol Kingsdown is an area of Bristol, located on high ground immediately north of the city centre and south of Cotham. It lies within the Cotham council ward. Kingsdown remained rural until the 18th century, but around 1737 land on the southern sl ...

, the son of Thomas Weston and his wife Mary Tuck. His father was a wealthy iron merchant at Redcliffe. He joined the family firm and developed the business to take in iron foundries, cotton manufacture and railway wagon and carriage building.Mayor's History Page
He was one of the original promoters and founders of the Bristol Waggon Works and was chairman of the Patent Nut and Bolt Co.Debretts House of Commons and the Judicial Bench 1886
/ref> His shipping interests thrived in the time of emigration to Australia. Weston took an interest in politics and became a city councillor for

Bristol Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...

in 1868, serving on the council until 1892. He was interested in public libraries, and after Bristol adopted the Public Libraries Act in 1874 he was behind the building of its first branch library at St Philips in 1876 and put some of his own money into it. He presided over Bristol's purchase and development of the Portishead and Avonmouth docks. He was mayor of Bristol for four years from 1880 to 1884. He was a J.P. for Bristol and received a knighthood. In 1885, Weston was elected MP for

Bristol South Bristol South is a List of United Kingdom Parliament constituencies, constituency represented in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, UK Parliament since 2015 United Kingdom genera ...

, but lost the seat in 1886. In 1890 he became MP for

Bristol East Bristol East is a List of United Kingdom Parliament constituencies, constituency recreated in 1983 covering the eastern part of the City of Bristol, represented in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, House of Commons of the Parliament of ...

– a large working class constituency. He was a liberal of advanced views and in favour of Home Rule.New York Times 6 March 1895
/ref> and it was commented that "He might be a socialist if Socialism were more respectable and not so dreadfully lowering"!. Weston died at the age of 72 and was buried Arnos Vale Cemetery.

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* 1822 births 1895 deaths Liberal Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies UK MPs 1885–1886 UK MPs 1886–1892 UK MPs 1892–1895 Mayors of Bristol {{England-mayor-stub