James Craig (Newcastle)


James Craig was a British Liberal Party politician who served as Member of Parliament for Newcastle-upon-Tyne from 1886 until 1892.

Career

Craig was born in 1834, the son of Thomas Craig, brushmaker, by Elizabeth Jobling, and was educated at St. Thomas's school, Newcastle. He began as a clerk in the firm of Messrs. Borries and Co., export merchants and shipbrokers in Newcastle, and later became a partner when it changed the name to Borries, Craig & Co. Ltd. He was known as an authority on mercantile matters, and spoke several languages.
Craig was active in local politics in Newcastle, and was a member of the River Tyne Commission. He was elected to the House of Commons in the 1886 general election, but was defeated at the next election in 1892. He contested the seat gain in 1895, but was unsuccessful.
He died on 28 August 1902 at Reading, Berkshire, where he had been living in retirement for the later years of his life.

Family

Craig married first, in 1858, Annie Eliza Jordan, daughter of Joseph Jordan, of Hornsey. He married secondly in 1865 to Kate Sophia Hould, daughter of James Hould, of Wanstead. Their son was Herbert James Craig, who was also a Liberal Member of Parliament.