J.H. Whitley Lecture
The J.H. Whitley Lecture is an annual public lecture hosted by the University of Huddersfield.
The J.H. Whitley Lecture series began in 2012 following the Whitley family's generous donation of the J.H. Whitley collection in 2011 to the University of Huddersfield. This fascinating archive includes books, journals, newspaper articles and letters from J.H. Whitley’s career in politics and public service. The collection continues to be an invaluable resource for researchers, students and scholars.
J.H. Whitley served on several parliamentary committees, and in 1921 he became the first MP from Yorkshire to be named as Speaker of the House of Commons for over a century.
Previous high-profile speakers include Sir Lindsay Hoyle in 2025, Baroness Ann Taylor in 2023, Michael Meadowcroft MP in 2017 and John Bercow MP in 2014.
For booking information on the next in the series of lectures please visit the University’s Central Events Eventbrite page.
About J.H. Whitley
John Henry Whitley, commonly known as J.H. Whitley, was born in Halifax in 1866 and was the son of Nathan Whitley, who served as Mayor of Halifax. J.H. Whitley worked for a cotton spinning business in Halifax that was owned by his uncle, Samuel Whitley, before entering politics and becoming a Liberal MP for Halifax in 1900, holding the seat until poor health forced him to resign in 1928.
The first Non-conformist Speaker, J.H. Whitley spent seven years in the role and on his retirement he turned down the knighthood that was traditionally offered to departing Speakers.
After stepping down as Speaker and resigning his seat, J.H. Whitley chaired a Royal Commission of Labour in India and championed the rights of the impoverished in India. He was Chairman of the BBC, and the 'Empire Service' he helped to develop evolved into the BBC World Service.
J.H. Whitley died aged 68 in 1935 and is buried in Lister Lane Cemetery in Halifax.
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