506 Michael Bass

Constituency : Stafford  1865-8, Staffordshire  East  1868-85, Burton 1885-6

Michael  replaced  Thomas  Sidney at   Stafford.

Michael  was  the  son  of  the  brewer  and  MP  for  Derby  of  the  same  name. He  was  educated  at Harrow  and  Cambridge.He  was  a  philanthropist  contributing  many  public  buildings  to  the  town  of Burton. He  was  also  a  railwayman  and  helped  restrict  working  hours  in  the  interests  of  safety. He   enjoyed  fishing  and  shooting  in  Scotland.

In  1882  Michael   was  created  a  baronet, an  honour  his  father  ( who  was  still  alive )  had   persistently   refused. In  1886  he  was  created  Baron  Burton.

In  1894  Michael  left  the  Liberal  party  after  a  long  struggle  with  temperance  enthusiasts. He  gave   over  the  Liberal  Club  he  had  built  for  use  as  Burton's  town  hall.

He  died  in  1907  aged  71  following  a  kidney  operation.