Constituency : Biggleswade 1906-18
Arthur took Biggleswade from the Liberal Unionist, Alwyne Compton.
Arthur was born in Nottingham. He was educated locally then went into business as a lace manufacturer. He was elected to Nottingham Town Council in 1895 and was Mayor from 1902-03. He was chairman of the Nottingham Free Church Council and led opposition to the 1902 Education Act. In 1903 he visited America as part of a Commission of Inquiry into education. He stood for Doncaster in 1900.
Arthur was knighted in 1916.
In 1918, Biggleswade was abolished and Arthur stood for the new seat of Mid Bedfordshire. He was defeated by a couponed Conservative.
In 1930, Arthur opposed Snowden ending the duty on imported lace claiming that keen domestic competition had kept prices down.
In 1935 Arthur donated a building to the National Children's Home and repeated the gift in 1945.
He died in 1947 aged 84.
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