Edward Thomas Holden

Sir Edward Thomas Holden (10 September 1831 – 13 November 1926) was a British businessman and Liberal Party politician, who was briefly member of parliament (MP) for Walsall.

Holden was born in Walsall, Staffordshire, and was the son of Edward Holden and his wife Elizabeth née Mason of New York City. Following a private education, he joined the firm of tanners and curriers in the town founded by his father, eventually becoming the head of the company. In 1854, he married Caroline Glass of Edinburgh. They made their home at Glenelg, Great Barr, and had one son.

He was elected to Walsall Borough Council, of which he was a member for more than sixty years. He was mayor of Walsall on three occasions: in 1870/71, 1871/72 and 1904/05. He was also a member of Walsall School Board and Board of Guardians, and a justice of the peace for the borough of Walsall and the county of Staffordshire.

In July 1891, the sitting Liberal member of parliament for Walsall, Sir Charles Forster, died suddenly. Holden, who was a close friend of the late MP and president of Walsall Liberal Association, was unanimously adopted to contest the resulting by-election. Holden campaigned on a platform of opposing the incumbent Conservative government and was in favour of Irish Home Rule, "one man - one vote" and the introduction of elected parish councils. He also had the support of the local temperance movement, as he was in favour of the closure of licensed premises on Sundays. His Conservative opponent was Frank James, who was supported by the Licensed Vintners National Defence League.

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