Constituency : Dundee 1868-73, 1880-85
Dundee acquired a second MP in the 1868 redistribution and George accompanied the sitting MP Sir John Ogilvy ( whom he had stood against in 1857 at the request of local artisans ) back to Westminster. He was strongly supported by the Temperance Movement.
George was born in Riga, Latvia where his English father was operating as a jute merchant. He was educated in Germany. He came to Dundee in 1843 setting up his own shipping and jute business. He was also chairman of the Dundee to Arbroath Railway. He married the sister of the Montrose MP William Baxter but they separated shortly afterwards due to his having an affair. This became a scandal and George was something of a social outcast for a time.
George was a benefactor to the city. He gave to a hospital fund and his will included funding a chair of philosophy at the university and a hospital ward. Several benevolent trusts still operate for the good of the city.
George retired in 1873 but agreed to stand again in 1880.
George was a personal friend rather than political ally of Gladstone. He holidayed with him in Biarritz and Cannes and footed the bills. He was a pallbearer at Gladstone's funeral. Gladstone described him as being "of rare modesty, courtesy and generosity : rare in his class, or in any class".
George was created Baron Armitstead in 1906 by alfour having previously turned down the offer from Gladstone in 1893.
He died in 1915 aged 91.
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