Sir Charles Seely 1833-1915
Charles Seely’s son, who later became Sir Charles Seely (1833-1915), was also a Liberal MP. In his lifetime the family fortune grew substantially and he continued his father’s commitment to improving the lives of working people.
Colonel Sir Charles Seely,MP, 1st Baronet KGStJ (11 August 1833 – 16 April 1915) was a British industrialist and politician.
When Sir Charles died he left estate of £1,052,070 (equivalent to £493 million in 2007), making him one of the richest men in the country. He had nine children, and, at the time of his death, over fifty grandchildren.
The following story about Sir Charles appeared in the Isle of Wight County Press in 1889:
Many years ago, a dear old friend, an artist, was making sketches of the coast of the Isle of Wight. Wishing to find his way to the shore at Brooke, he accosted a man whom he chanced to see ...
About 90 children from Brook and Mottistone enjoyed an out of doors treat on Tuesday 30th August, in the beautiful gardens of Brooke House.
Sir Charles Seely's speeches in the House of Commons and House of Lords.
The second Charles Seely continued his father's concern for the education of the working man. He designed and built the Reading Rooms for the men of the Brook and Brighstone.