Percy William Bunting

  General Notes:

Eldest child and only son of Thomas Percival Bunting. Born Manchester 1.2.1836. Barrister. Obtained a scholarship at Pembroke College, Cambridge and read mathematics (graduated as university twentieth "wrangler" in 1859). An incurable optimist and passionate Methodist but "delightfully urbane". He wore elastic-sided boots. An unusual musical talent on the piano. Became prominent as a Victorian liberal nonconformist. 1862; called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn. In 1882 he became editor for the rest of his life of the worthy polemic Liberal periodical, the Contemporary Review (founded by Alexander Strachan in 1862, though its website now says 1866). (There are many articles in the Review by family members, viewable in archive). This led to his friendship from 1886 with Gladstone and hence to him being knighted 21.7.1908 (he sat on the executive committee of the National Liberal Federation from about 1880 until his death). However another account is that he was knighted by Edward VII for services to the manifestly lost cause of Anglo-German friendship. 1892: stood for parliament in East Islington. He was one of the founders of the Leys School, Cambridge for sons of lay Methodists. He and Lady Bunting visited Garibaldi not long before his death. They were keen on continental holidays for example on the Rhine. 1902: took over editorship of the Methodist Times. The Anglo-German Friendship Society was formed in 1911. He died unexpectedly 22.7.1911 after 10 years of failing health (having retired from the law in 1895), but following 42 years of perfect marriage. Following his death the Contemporary Review was co-edited by Rev. J. Scott Lidgett DD. Sir Percy's funeral was at City Road Chapel but he and Lady Bunting are buried at Highgate Cemetery (western section).

Percy married Mary Hyett Lidgett, daughter of John Lidgett and Ann Jacob Hyett, on 21 Jun 1869 in Christ Church, St Pancras, Mddx. (Mary Hyett Lidgett was born on 17 Dec 1840 in Stepney, London, England and died on 5 Oct 1919.)