Joseph Walker, 1850 - 1851

Walker entered public life at an early age. He supported the Reform Bill in 1832, promoted the New Poor Law in 1834 and later was a supporter of the 'Anti-Corn Law League'. He had a cut nail manufacturing business in Southampton Street, Wolverhampton and was one of the first twelve aldermen to be elected when Wolverhampton became a municipal borough in 1848. He was a believer in self-help and frequently addressed friendly societies to encourage the working classes to improve themselves. Elected as mayor in 1850, Walker was linked to several improvements in the borough, including the construction of a new drainage system; and the initiation of some innovative changes at Wolverhampton Grammar School. He died at his home in North Street, Wolverhampton on the 26th May 1865, aged seventy-five.

J Jones The Mayors of Wolverhampton Vol 1 (EJ Rowland, Wolverhampton)
Obituary Wolverhampton Chronicle 31st May 1865.
Information in Jones, WH 1903 Municipal Life in Wolverhampton (Alexander & Shepherd Ltd London) p. 64
Photograph Index - Y1/WALK, J/1