Hugh Myddleton Butler
Hugh Myddleton Butler (1857-1943) of Kirkstall Forge, near Leeds.
1944 Obituary [1]
HUGH MYDDLETON BUTLER, who was the governing director of Kirkstall Forge, Ltd., Leeds, was one of the oldest members of the Institution, having been elected a Graduate in 1884 and transferred to Membership in 1892; but his association with the firm (which had been in the ownership of the Butler family since 1779) dated as far back as 1875 when he began to serve his apprenticeship. He was made manager of a department in 1884 and eight years later was appointed works manager.
He took a leading part in the development of the firm's products and was responsible for the introduction of much new plant. In this connection he devoted his attention to making the manufacture of axles for all kinds of motor vehicles a prominent feature of the firm, and for that purpose took out a number of patents. Mr. Butler continued to take an active part in the direction of his firm until his death which occurred on 10th September 1943, at the age of 86.
For many years he took a keen interest in local politics and municipal affairs, and was elected Conservative Member for North Leeds in 1922.