Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Bartley, George Christopher Trout
BARTLEY, Sir GEORGE CHRISTOPHER TROUT (1842–1910), founder of the National Penny Bank, born at Rectory Place, Hackney, on 22 Nov. 1842, was son by his second wife, Julia Anna Lucas, of Robert Bartley of Hackney, of the war office. After early education at Blackheath, at Clapton, and at University College school, he entered in 1860, as science examiner, the science and art department at South Kensington, of the education branch of which Sir Henry Cole [q. v.], father of his chief school friend, was the head. In 1866 he was made official examiner, and remained there until 1880 as assistant director of the science division, which was responsible for the establishment of science schools through the country. Since 1870 Bartley had written several pamphlets on social questions, especially on thrift and poor law and on education. His first published work, 'The Educational Condition and Requirements of One Square Mile in the East End of London' (1870; 2nd edit. 1870), was quoted by William Edward Forster during the discussion of the education bill of 1870. In 1871 followed 'Schools for the People,' which treated of the historical development and methods of schools for the working classes in England. From 1873 to 1882 he edited with Miss Emily Shirreff [q. v.] the journal of the Women's Educational Union, which aimed at the general improvement of women's education.
Poverty and its remedy also claimed his attention. In 1872 he read a paper before the Society of Arts on old age pensions, urging that help should be given in old age to those who had made some provision for themselves. Twenty-one years later he laid before the House of Commons a bill for old age pensions, which embodied his earlier principles (Booth, Pauperism and the Endowment of Old Age, 1892, p. 350). For the encouragement of thrift among the masses he published in 1872 twelve penny 'Provident Knowledge Papers,' which he supplemented in 1878 with his 'Domestic Economy: Thrift in Everyday Life.' In 1872 he started the instalment club at 77 Church Street, Edgware Road, which enabled workmen to buy tools or clothes by regular weekly payments. The foundation of the Middlesex Penny Bank at the same address followed the same year. In 1875, in conjunction with Sir Henry Cole (whose daughter he had married in 1864) and others, Bartley established the National Penny Bank; its main object was to encourage thrift among the working classes on a purely business basis. The scheme met with rapid success, and since its foundation over 2,900,000 accounts have been opened, and more than 22,000,000 deposits have been made; 180,000 depositors hold over 3 million pounds, and 26 million pounds have passed through the bank, while fourteen district branches have been established in London. Meanwhile Bartley had devoted himself to the question of poor law reform. In 'The Poor Law in its Effects on Thrift' (1873) he urged improvement of the system of out-door relief. Other works, 'The Village Net' (1874) and 'The Seven Ages of a Village Pauper' (1875), give dark pictures of the existing poor law system; in 1876 appeared his 'Handy Book for Guardians of the Poor.' In 1880 Bartley resigned his post at South Kensington to stand for parliament in the conservative interest. He unsuccessfully opposed Henry Fawcett [q. v.] at Hackney in March of that year. From 1883 to 1885 he was chief agent to the conservative party. In 1885 he was returned for North Islington, and retained that seat till 1906. He was narrowly defeated in November 1907 at a by-election in West Hull. In the House of Commons Bartley, although a fluent speaker, strenuously advocated the curtailment of parliamentary speeches; in 1891 he voted against his party in opposition to the free education bill brought in by the Salisbury government and played a prominent part in obstructing the chief measures of the liberal government (1892-5). Bartley was created K.C.B. in November 1902, and was long J.P. for London and Middlesex.
He died in London on 13 Sept. 1910 after an operation, and was buried in Holtye Churchyard, near Shovelstrode Manor, East Grinstead, his country house. He married in 1864 Mary Charlotte, third daughter of Sir Henry Cole, K.C.B., and had issue four sons and one daughter, who with his widow survived him. His second son, Douglas Cole Bartley (6. 2 Oct. 1870), barrister, succeeded him as managing director of the National Penny Bank. A bust of Bartley by Mr. Basil Gotto is in possession of Lady Bartley at Shovelstrode Manor, East Grinstead; a replica was placed in 1911 at the head office of the National Penny Bank, 59 Victoria Street, Westminster.
Bartley published, besides the works already mentioned 1. 'A Catalogue of Modern Works on Science and Technology,' 1872. 2. 'Toys' ('British Manufacturing Industries '), 1876; 2nd edit. 1877. 3. 'The Rhine from its Source to the Sea,' translated from the German, 1877.
[Information supplied by Douglas C. Bartley, Esq.; The Times, 15 Sept. 1910; H. W. Lucy, Diary of the Salisbury Parliament, 1886-1892, pp. 288-9; Diary of Home Rule Parliament, 1892-5, pp. 259-201. Charity Organisation Review, Sept. 1892.]