Kell, Robert

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Kell, Robert

Watercolour portrait of Robert Kell, JP, aged 70

from John Sowden's notebooks:

"Robert Kell was a native of Devonshire and afterwards moved to London, where his father held a good position in the Bank of England. After completing his education he visited France, and Germany and then Canada. In 1843 he joined Mr Fred Schwann, merchant of Huddersfield and afterwards became a partner. Some years afterwards the worsted branch of the firm was removed to Bradford. Mr Kell and his brother Mr SC Kell was placed at the head of it; the style being Schwann, Kell & Co. subsequently change to Kell & Co. Mr Kells’ public services were mainly devoted to politics. As a speaker he was cogent, argumentative and sincere. He was one of the leading members of the Liberal Executive Committee and was treasurer of the Liberal Association for some time. He was an active lieutenant of Mr Cobden in Paris arranging details of the French Treaty. Mr Kell was much interested in the Girls Grammar School which was opened in 1875 & it was largely owing to his generosity and enterprising work that the school started under such favourable auspices. He remained as governor of that body until 1894 and was for many years its chairman. He was JP and for a short period sat in the town council as an Alderman. He was also a member of the Council of the Chamber of Commerce and a Vice President from 1866 to 1868. Mr Kell married a daughter of Reverend Edward Kell, Unitarian minister at Birmingham. He died in 1894, leaving a widow but no issue."

Creator

John Sowden

Image filename

sowden-73