Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Pope, Samuel
POPE, SAMUEL (1826–1901), barrister, born at Manchester on 11 Dec. 1826, was eldest son of Samuel Pope, a merchant of London and Manchester, by his wife Phebe, daughter of William Rushton, merchant, of Liverpool. After private education he was employed in business, and in his leisure cultivated in debating societies an aptitude for public speaking. Coming to London, he studied at London University, entered at the Middle Temple on 13 Nov. 1855, and was called to the bar on 7 June 1858. Deeply interested in politics, he unsuccessfully contested Stoke as a liberal in the following year. For a few years he practised with success in his native town, but removed to London in 1865. In the same year, and again in 1868, he unsucessfully contested Bolton. In 1869 he was however made recorder of the town and took silk. In London he soon devoted himself to parliamentary practice, for which his persuasive eloquence and commanding personality admirably fitted him. He presented complicated facts and figures simply and interestingly and in due perspective. At his death he was the leader of the parliamentary bar. He was chosen a bencher of his inn on 27 Jan. 1870, and was treasurer in 1888-9, when he made a valuable donation of books to the library. A keen advocate of the temperance cause from youth. Pope was at his death an honorary secretary of the United Kingdom Alliance. He was a freemason, becoming senior grand deacon in grand lodge in 1886. He died at his residence, 74 Ashley Gardens, Westminster, on 22 July 1901, and was buried at Llanbedr in Merionethshire, of which county he was a J. P. and deputy lieutenant. Pope married Hannah, daughter of Thomas Bury of Timperley Lodge, Cheshire; she predeceased him without issue in 1880.
A portrait by Sir Hubert von Herkomer is in possession of the family. A loving cup with a bust of him in relief was presented to the Middle Temple in his memory by some friends (Master Worsley's Book, ed. A. R. Ingpen, K.C., p. 327). A cartoon portrait by 'Spy' appeared in 'Vanity Fair' in 1885.
[The Times, 24 July 1901; Foster, Men at the Bar; Men and Women of the Time, 1899; Hutchinson, Notable Middle Templars, 1902; private information.]