Constituency : Leeds North 1902-18
Rowland captured the hitherto solidly Tory seat of Leeds North when the incumbent was made a peer. He won by 758 votes. Though not particularly religious himself Rowland was from a Baptist background and concentrated his campaign on the iniquities of the Education Bill. His victory was the first sign that the Bill was driving Nonconformist support back to the Liberals.
Rowland was the son of John Barran, former MP for Leeds and Otley. He worked in the family firm of clothing manufacturers. He was a member of Leeds City Council and Leeds School Board. He was a Liberal Imperialist.
Rowland's maiden speech called for a more national approach to secondary education.
Rowland headed a committee to reorganise war clothing contracts.
Rowland was knighted in 1917.
Rowland's last contribution was questioning the amount of labour available for shipbuilding in 1918.
Rowland stood down in 1918 to take over as chairman of the family firm. In fact he had announced this decision in 1912. He was vice-chair of the Federation of British Industries for a time. He retired as chairman in 1932 but remained a director until 1947.
He died in 1949, a day before his 91st birthday.
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