Sir Joseph Dodge Weston (1822 - 5 Mar 1895) was a English merchant and shipping magnate and Liberal politician. Weston was born in Kingsdown, Bristol, the son of Thomas Weston and his wife Mary Tuck. His father was a wealthy iron merchant at Redcliffe. He joined the family firm and developed the business to take in iron foundries, cotton manufacture and railway wagon and carriage building. His shipping interests thrived in the time of emigration to Australia.

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  • Sir Joseph Dodge Weston (1822 - 5 Mar 1895) was a English merchant and shipping magnate and Liberal politician. Weston was born in Kingsdown, Bristol, the son of Thomas Weston and his wife Mary Tuck. His father was a wealthy iron merchant at Redcliffe. He joined the family firm and developed the business to take in iron foundries, cotton manufacture and railway wagon and carriage building. His shipping interests thrived in the time of emigration to Australia. Weston took an interest in politics and became a city councillor for Bristol in 1868, serving on the council until 1892. He was interested in public libraries, and after Bristol adopted the Public Libraries Act in 1874 he was behind the building of its first branch library at St Philips in 1876 and put some of his own money into it. He presided over Bristol's purchase and development of the Portishead and Avonmouth docks. He was mayor of Bristol for four years from 1880 to 1884. He received a knighthood. In 1885, Weston was elected MP for Bristol South, but lost the seat in 1886. In 1890 he became MP for Bristol East – a large working class constituency. He was a liberal of advanced views and in favour of Home Rule. and it was commented that “He might be a socialist if Socialism were more respectable and not so dreadfully lowering”!. Weston died at the age of 72 and was buried Arnos Vale Cemetery.
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  • Sir Joseph Dodge Weston (1822 - 5 Mar 1895) was a English merchant and shipping magnate and Liberal politician. Weston was born in Kingsdown, Bristol, the son of Thomas Weston and his wife Mary Tuck. His father was a wealthy iron merchant at Redcliffe. He joined the family firm and developed the business to take in iron foundries, cotton manufacture and railway wagon and carriage building. His shipping interests thrived in the time of emigration to Australia.
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  • Joseph Dodge Weston
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