995 Thomas Roe

Constituency : Derby  1883-95, 1900-16

Thomas  took  over  at  Derby  after  the  resignation  of  Michael  Bass.

Thomas  was  the  son  of  a  timber  merchant  who  became  mayor  of  Derby. He  began  work  in  his  father's  office  and  followed  him  on  to  the  Town  Council. In  1864  he  himself  became  mayor. He  was  interested  in  education  and  became  chairman of  the  Education  Committee.

Thomas's  parliamentary  contributions  were  largely  questions  on  a  wide  variety  of  subjects.

In  1894  Thomas  was  knighted.

Thomas  was  defeated  in  1895  and  consoled  himself  by  becoming  mayor  again  in  1896.

Thomas  regained  his  seat  in  1900  and  became  mayor  again  in  1910.

Thomas  retired  in  1916  and  the  following  year  became  Baron  Roe. Raymond  Asquith  was  lined  up  to  succeed  him  but  was  killed  at  the  Somme  before  he  got  the  chance.

He  died  in  1923  aged  90.