Constituency : Nottingham 1847-59 Berkshire 1859-65, 1868-85
John was the son of the editor of The Times. He was educated at Eton and Oxford and became a barrister. However he succeeded his father as sole manager of the paper and influenced its tone with his serious religious views. He was a Churchman and lay member of the Oxford Diocesan Conference. He also gradually introduced the "Walter Press" the pioneer of modern printing. He was elected for Nottingham on the same day his father ( an earlier MP for the city ) died. He said at the time " I acknowledge no man as my political leader" but soon gravitated to the Liberals. In 1851 the paper was influential in persuading Russell to dismiss Palmerston for his attitude towards France with two critical editorials. However from the Crimean War onwards the paper became staunchly supportive of Palmerston; in 1864 Bright mockingly suggested John for a peerage "for services offered to the present Prime Minister".
John was a moderate . He was a frequent, sometimes ponderous speaker in the Commons. His dual role as parliamentarian and pressman led to criticism.In 1860 he clashed with Edward Horsman who attacked him an article suggesting that the government was postponing franchise reform to avoid a dissolution. John denied "any responsibility for any opinion or statement " in the paper. Horsman replied that he was morally responsible for every word which drew great cheers from the Tory benches.
John had an austere countenance and was unostentatious but known to be kind and benevolent. He built a number of schools in Berkshire. He was also a pioneer of new farming methods on his Bearwood estate.
John was defeated in 1865 but regained the seat in 1868. He retired in 1885.
He died of purpera haemorrhagia in 1894 aged 76.
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