Cathcart Wason
| Born | 17 November 1848, Colmonell |
|---|---|
| Died | 19 April 1921, London |
| Elections | 5 (5 won) |
(John) Cathcart Wason , generally known as Cathcart Wason, was a farmer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament in two countries: first in New Zealand and then in Scotland. He established Barrhill, a model village, and after the failure of this colonial venture, he returned to Scotland. An unusually large man (he was over 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) tall), he is noted both as an innovative farmer and for having passed his time in the British House of Commons by knitting.
Biography
Born in Colmonell near Girvan, South Ayrshire, he was the son of Rigby Wason and his wife Euphemia McTier. Rigby Wason was a barrister and a successful farmer who converted much of his Corwar estate from moor to arable land; he had also served as a Member of Parliament. He was educated at Laleham and at Rugby School. He came to Canterbury in New Zealand in 1868.[3]
Cathcart Wason had four siblings; three older brothers (Rigby, Eugene and James) and one younger sister (Catherine Rigby).[4] Peter Cathcart Wason was Eugene's grandchild.[5]
Political Career
| Year | Election | Council | Votes | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 1900 UK General Election, Orkney and Shetland Result | Parliament of the United Kingdom | 2,057 | Elected |
| 1906 | 1906 UK General Election, Orkney and Shetland Result | Parliament of the United Kingdom | 3,837 | Elected |
| 1910 | 1910 January UK General Election, Orkney and Shetland Result | Parliament of the United Kingdom | 4,117 | Elected |
| 1910 | 1910 December UK General Election, Orkney and Shetland Result | Parliament of the United Kingdom | Unopposed | Elected |
| 1918 | 1918 UK General Election, Orkney and Shetland Result | Parliament of the United Kingdom | Unopposed | Elected |