John Annan, 1884 - 1885

Annan had a modest upbringing in Perth, Scotland. After relocating to Wolverhampton during the 1860s he became second engineer to a Mr Proud at a gasworks in Stafford Road. When Proud resigned in June 1864, Annan became Chief Engineer and Manager, and economised the production of gas. As a result of this Wolverhampton became the lowest gas-rated town in Britain at this time. Annan represented St Mark's ward in 1883 and a year later he became mayor. During his term of office there was a depression in trade: Annan championed the plight of the unemployed and the poor. Additionally, Annan's duties as mayor included the opening of the Borough Hospital for Infectious Diseases on Dudley Road in 1885; and the opening of the Art Gallery & Municipal School of Art. He was elected Alderman and became a Commissioner of the Peace.

J Jones The Mayors of Wolverhampton Vol 2 (Whitehead Brothers, Wolverhampton)
WH Jones 1903 Municipal Life in Wolverhampton (Alexander & Shepherd, London) p. 229
Photograph Index - Y1/ANN