Frederick Doulton - Parliamentary Career

Parliamentary Career

Frederick had first stood unsuccessfully for Lambeth in 1852 where he had adopted a platform critical of lavish campaigns and corrupt and unfair voting. Surprisingly, in 1857, he stood aside to nominate and support the candidature of William Roupell, a vain and shallow candidate who indulged in exorbitant campaigning and entertaining of electors. Doulton was alleged to have written Roupell's speeches though he denied as much. Doulton was further implicated with Roupell in allegations of excessive spending though these were later dropped when the accusers were in turn accused of applying duress to Roupell for political favours. Roupell was duly elected.

At the United Kingdom general election, 1859, two members were to be returned and William Williams, who had held the second seat since 1850, announced in The Times that he would not stand because of ill health. Doulton announced his candidacy but a rumour started to circulate that he had bribed Williams to stand down. Williams now decided to stand to preserve his reputation and Roupell, somewhat disloyally, backed him. Doulton now withdrew but seems to have made light of the matter.

In 1862, Roupell was consumed by the scandal that gave rise to the Roupell case and resigned as MP on 4 February. Doulton was later returned as MP in the by-election on 5 May. His Parliamentary career also ended with scandal six years later. The Times obituary ends with:

This refers to the Affaire Doulton described in The Times on 4 January 1869. Frederick Doulton was accused of fraud in Brussels, but escaped the charges on appeal since overcharing was not a crime. His reputation was though damaged.