William Clegg | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1852-04-21)21 April 1852 |
| Died | 22 August 1932(1932-08-22) (aged 80) Sheffield, Yorkshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | Footballer, solicitor and politician |
Sir William Edwin CleggCBE JP (21 April 1852 – 22 August 1932)[1] was an English footballer and politician.
Born inSheffield, he was the younger brother ofCharles Clegg with whom he played atSheffield Wednesday. The two were the first brothers to both be capped forEngland, although they never played in the same match. He was described as being "a safe kick and good half-back" inCharles Alcock's 1875 edition of theFootball Annual.
After retiring from football through injury, he continued within the game as an administrator and became president of Sheffield Wednesday and vice president ofSheffield and Hallamshire Football Association.
Clegg became a solicitor. His most notable case was when he represented the notorious criminalCharles Peace.[2]
He also went on to have a successful political career and wasLord Mayor of Sheffield in 1898. He became known as 'the uncrowned king of Sheffield'.[2] Clegg was knighted in 1906.
Clegg was the leader of theLiberal group onSheffield City Council from 1895. In his early years, he campaigned for the municipalisation of thetramways in the city, and then for the construction ofcouncil housing in the city. He was able to ensure that an estate was built atWincobank, and a project to build 400 houses was begun in 1909. He also acted as the major financier of the local Liberal group.[3]
Clegg was considered to be on the right of the Liberal Party and was associated with the Liberal League. He was opposed tosocialism and was hostile to theLabour Party. From 1909, he began co-operating closely with theConservative Party group on the council, and in 1920 the two parties formed the Citizens' Association, Clegg being its first leader. He pursued low-tax policies at the expense of cutting services and running up debts. He was an opponent ofDavid Lloyd George's policies. The Association lost control of the council to Labour in 1926, who removed him from thealdermanic bench.[3]
Following his deposition from the council, Clegg concentrated on social and philanthropic work and in particular he took an interest in education.[2] He became the pro-chancellor of theUniversity of Sheffield and chairman of the Sheffield education committee.[2]
Clegg had married twice and had a son and daughter.[2] Clegg died in a Sheffield nursing home 22 August 1932 aged 80.[2]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by ? | Leader ofSheffield City Council 1901 – 1903 | Succeeded by Herbert Hughes |
| Preceded by Herbert Hughes | Leader ofSheffield City Council 1905 – 1907 | Succeeded by Herbert Hughes |
| Preceded by Herbert Hughes | Leader ofSheffield City Council 1911 – 1926 | Succeeded by |