Frances Joan Davidson, Viscountess Davidson, Baroness Northchurch, DBE (née Dickinson; 29 May 1894 – 25 November 1985),[1] styled Lady Davidson between 1935 and 1937 and as Viscountess Davidson between 1937 and 1985, was a British Conservative Party politician.
The Viscountess Davidson | |
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| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal | |
| In office 13 January 1964 – 25 November 1985 Life Peerage | |
| Member of Parliament for Hemel Hempstead | |
| In office 22 June 1937 – 18 September 1959 | |
| Preceded by | Sir J.C.C. Davidson |
| Succeeded by | James Allason |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Frances Joan Dickinson 29 May 1894 |
| Died | 25 November 1985 (aged 91) |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse | J. C. C. Davidson |
| Children | 4, including Andrew |
| Parent(s) | Sir Willoughby Dickinson Elizabeth Meade |
Background and education
editShe was the daughter of Sir Willoughby Dickinson, later Baron Dickinson. Her father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all Members of Parliament. She was educated at Kensington High School and Northfields, Englefield Green.[citation needed]
Career
editDuring World War I, she served in the Red Cross POW Department and was appointed OBE in 1919. When her husband, Sir J. C. C. Davidson, was created Viscount Davidson in 1937, she was elected at a by-election to succeed him as Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Hemel Hempstead.[2] She held the seat until she retired from the House of Commons at the 1959 general election. For a short time after the 1945 general election, she was the only female Conservative MP.
Honours and arms
editShe was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 1952 Birthday Honours and created a life peer as Baroness Northchurch, of Chiswick in the County of Middlesex, on 13 January 1963.[3] She and her husband were one of the few couples who both held titles in their own right.
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Family
editDavidson had two sons and two daughters (Margaret, Jean, Andrew and Malcolm). She died aged 91, from natural causes. Both sons inherited their father's title, as Andrew Davidson, 2nd Viscount Davidson and Malcolm Davidson, 3rd Viscount Davidson.
References
edit- ^ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "H" (part 2)
- ^ Craig, F. W. S. (1983) [1969]. British parliamentary election results 1918–1949 (3rd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 372. ISBN 0-900178-06-X.
- ^ "No. 43219". The London Gazette. 14 January 1964. p. 385.
- ^ Debrett's Peerage. 1973.