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Taunton Courier. Bristol and Exeter Journal and Western Advertiser Wednesday 27 Jul 1921
Page 8 Column 4
100 SOMERSET WORTHIES
BY S.E.D.
COUNCILLOR GEORGE DUDDERIDGE, POLITICIAN AND WRITER. - George DUDDERIDGE, of Staplegrove, Taunton, Bristol, and Kensington, was the only son of Robert DUDDERIDGE, a famous clarionet player of Rowbarton, Rag Hill, Burland, and Staplegrove, by Sarah, his wife, fourth daughter of John BALE, of Staple Fitzpaine. He was born at Staplegrove, 3rd April, 1864, and baptised at the Parish Church the 24th of the same month by the Assistant-Curate, the Rev. W. G. GREEN, the famous Tractarian lecturer, being the 12th in direct lineal descent from William DUDDERIDGE, churchwarden of Lydeard St. Lawrence in 1533, and educated at Grosvenor House School, Taunton. At five years of age he lost his father, who passed away at Staplegrove on 26th November, 1869. While a scholar at school he contracted a friendship with the Rev. Levi PALMER, a friendship with the Rev. Levi PALMER, the newly-appointed minister of Albemarle Baptist Chapel, Taunton, a friendship which lasted till death, and at the age of fourteen was received as a member of Mr. PALMER's chapel. At the early age of fifteen he was elected Secretary of the Sunday School, which post he held for seven years, being presented with a certificate of honour when, on leaving the neighbourhood, he resigned the position. At the age of sixteen he entered the office of Price, Corner, & Co., woollen merchants, Taunton, and from now took an interest in Liberal politics, reading widely and contributing to discussions in the local Press. From Taunton he proceeded to London, and as a member of the Metropolitan Tabernacle became associated with the late Rev. C. H. SPURGEON. His next move was to Bristol, where he attached himself to Broadmead Chapel, under the ministry of the Rev. E. G. GANGE, and plunged into the questions of vaccination, which he considered a barbarous and useless custom, disestablishment, and education. He had a long passage of arms with the notorious Dr. BOND, of Gloucester, and came out of the fray full of honour and congratulation. He carried on a discussion in three papers on Disestablisment, one at Taunton and two at Bristol. Public speaking and writing were second nature to him, and his name became well known in Bristol. Among his writings were the following:-
1.- “William Cobbett, ploughboy, soldier, scholar, author, and politician.” (This was first delivered as a lecture, and afterwards appeared in a monthly magazine, entitled “Month by month.”)
2.- “Robert Hall, the Prince of Preachers.”
3.- “Life! It's Origin and Duration.”
4.- “Evolution.”
5.- “Poverty - It's Causes and Remedies.”
6.- “Is there a God?”
7.- “The Signs of the Times.”
8.- “Is the Bible Verbally Inspired?”
9.- “The Irish Question.”
The last two were most favourably reviewed. On 3rd April, 1890, he married, at Broadmead Chapel, Louie, the younger daughter of Professor William Haydn FLOOD, of Southville, Bristol. In 1892 he assisted Mr. Courtney WARNER to win the North Somerset constituency in the Liberal interest by a majority of 19 votes. In 1895 he returned to London as Metropolitan Manager of the Sun of Canada Insurance Society, and before very long was presented by the Society with a very fine gold watch and chain as a mark of esteem. In 1898 he was appointed Manager of the West End office of the Gresham Life Assurance Society, and began to attract public life in North Kensington when elected as hon. secretary of the Liberal Association. As a politician he held advanced views, was a strong advocate of temperance, going as far as prohibition, a great believer in Free Trade and land nationalisation. In 1900 he acted as election agent to Mr. Rufus ISAACS, now Lord Reading, and when the new Borough Councils were formed he was elected one of the representatives of the Golbourne Ward in North Kensington 1st November, 1900, and became the leader of the Progressive Party. While the “Morning Herald” existed he contributed two articles weekly, and wrote “Table Talk” for “World and Work,” but in January, 1901, appeared the first number of his own monthly magazine called “Progress,” nearly half its contents being from his own pen. Mr. Rufus ISAACS sent a word of congratulation and God-speed. Right in the midst of his noble work and aims he passed suddenly to his rest in the early hours of Saturday, 7th June, 1902, at his residence, 42, St. Mark's road, North Kensington, at the early age of 38, and was buried in Kensington Cemetery at Hanwell the following Thursday, the Town Clerk, two Alderman, and nearly the whole of the Kensington Borough Council attending. He was a member of the Ladbrooke Grove Baptist Chapel, where he conducted a Bible Class for young men on Sunday afternoons, the pastor of which, the Rev. Fleming SHEARER, conducted the Funeral Service. A suitable memorial marks the grave.