John Bell (6 August 1809 – 5 March 1851) was a Liberal Party politician in the United Kingdom. He is notable as a Member of Parliament who was declared of unsound mind but there was no way of removing him from his seat until his death two years later.
Family Background edit
The Bells were Lords of the Manor of Thirsk in Yorkshire, living in Thirsk House, which John Bell inherited from his father, also called John Bell. The Manor had been in the family since the fifteenth century though there had been several cases when there wasn't a direct heir and it had passed to a sister's son who had assumed the name Bell. They had a coat of arms featuring three silver bells.[1]
Member of Parliament edit
Bell was elected unopposed to Parliament on 29 June 1841 representing the Yorkshire constituency of Thirsk.[2] He was a Liberal and described as a 'Reformer'.[3] He supported universal suffrage and was a member of the National Complete Suffrage Union.[4] He appears to have made few contributions while a Member of Parliament.[5] On 31 July 1847 he was re-elected, again unopposed, for Thirsk.[6] Subsequently he became increasingly absent from Parliament and in the session to August 1849 he failed to be present for all the 219 votes.[7]
Health Problem edit
In July 1849 a commission was held to determine the state of mind of John Bell, the sitting MP for Thirsk. A succession of witnesses was called, each of whom testified concerning Bell's mental state, repeating his belief that he was a bird. Bell also told his relatives and acquaintances that, while he was a bird, he could fly much better than a bird, because he kept his shoulders oiled. After the medical witnesses unanimously agreed that Bell was totally incompetent of caring for himself, the jury returned its verdict that Bell was of unsound mind.[2]
Despite this, it was found impossible to remove him from his seat and he continued as the Member for Thirsk until his death in 1851. It was only with the passing of the Lunacy (Vacating of Seats) Act in 1886 was it possible to remove MPs who were of unsound mind.
References edit
- ^ Thirsk', A History of the County of York North Riding: Volume 2 (1923), pp. 58-70.
- ^ a b Leigh Rayment's Peerage Pages [self-published source] [better source needed]
- ^ Leeds Mercury, 3 July 1841
- ^ Manchester Times and Gazette, 16 April 1842
- ^ Hansard John Bell
- ^ Manchester Guardian, 4 August 1847
- ^ Leeds Mercury, 20 October 1849
Category:1809 births
Category:1851 deaths
Category:People from Thirsk
Category:Liberal MPs (UK)
Category:Members of the United Kingdom Parliament for English constituencies
Category:UK MPs 1841-1847
Category:UK MPs 1847-1852