Charles Paulton Plant, 1901 - 1902
Born in Bilston in 1857, Plant received an education at Oscott College and the Royal High School, Edinburgh. He travelled abroad for several years, visiting New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand in order to acquire experience of colonial lifestyles. On returning to England he worked as a brewer and wine and spirit merchant in his father's business, but left the business following his father's death to establish his own commercial enterprise in Wolverhampton, a business he expanded by opening branches in Wednesbury and Birmingham. Eventually the company amalgamated with William Butler & Co Ltd. and Plant became the director of the firm. He became a member of Wolverhampton Council in 1896 and was elected mayor in 1901. During his term of office the Art and Industrial Exhibition took place; the 'New Electrical Tramway' was inaugurated; the new Free Library opened; and the Technical School was extended, to which Plant contributed £100. He died during the summer of 1923.

J Jones The Mayors of Wolverhampton Vol 2 (Whitehead Brothers, Wolverhampton)
WH Jones 1903 Municipal Life in Wolverhampton (Alexander & Shepherd Ltd London)
Obituary Wolverhampton Chronicle 8th August 1923
Photograph Index – Y1/PLA