Alderman Joseph Hubback

Contents: Early Life · Mayor of Liverpool · Alderman · Marriages & Family · Portrait · Legacy

When we speak of the Hubback brothers – Arthur, Theodore, and George – we often focus on their extraordinary achievements in Malaya and India. But every great tree has deep roots. The foundation of this remarkable family was laid by Joseph Hubback, a Liverpool corn merchant who rose to become Mayor of Liverpool and an Alderman of the city. This is the story of the man who started it all.

Portrait of Alderman Joseph Hubback (1814–1883) – Mayor of Liverpool (1869–70) and father of Arthur, Theodore, Joseph Guy, and George Clay Hubback.

Portrait of
Alderman Joseph Hubback
Photo Courtesy of
Mrs. Yvonne Barbor (née Hubback) & Family

Early Life and Career

Joseph Hubback was born on 1 July 1814 in Berwick-upon-Tweed, a historic border town in Northumberland. Interestingly, he was not a native of Liverpool; his father, also named Joseph Hubback, was a hatter who later became the Mayor of Berwick.

After spending time in America, the young Joseph settled in Liverpool, where he built a highly successful career as a corn merchant (a grain trader), establishing himself as a prominent figure in Liverpool's commercial community.

In 1843, he published a pamphlet titled "A Letter on the Corn Laws", which argued in favour of the protective system. This publication demonstrates his active engagement with the pressing economic and political debates of his time, particularly the contentious issue of the Corn Laws, which had a profound impact on British agriculture and trade.

He entered local politics as a Conservative councillor for the Everton ward and was later elected as an Alderman of the city. In 1865, he stood for election in his hometown of Berwick but was unsuccessful.

Mayor of Liverpool (1869–1870)

Joseph Hubback served as the Mayor of Liverpool from 1869 to 1870. His most enduring civic contribution came during his mayoralty with the opening of Stanley Park.

The park, designed by the renowned landscape architect Edward Kemp, was opened on 14 May 1870 by Mayor Joseph Hubback. Covering 110 acres (45 hectares), Stanley Park remains one of Liverpool's most significant green spaces, celebrated for its layout, architecture, and grand terrace with expansive bedding schemes.

Today, the park is also famous for being located on the "border" between the rival football clubs Everton FC and Liverpool FC.

Understanding the Title "Alderman": Why It Matters

The title "Alderman" is derived from the Old English word ealdorman, which literally means "elder person" or "wise man". In Anglo-Saxon England, ealdormen were high‑ranking officials of the crown who exercised judicial, administrative, and military functions.

By the 19th century, the term had evolved. Under legislation that reformed English local government, an alderman was a senior member of a borough, municipal, or county council. Unlike ordinary councillors who were elected by popular vote, aldermen were elected by the councillors themselves – a distinction that marked them as particularly respected and trusted members of the council.

Aldermen held legislative, administrative, and some judicial functions. They were typically chosen from among the most experienced and capable councillors, and their position carried significant influence in shaping local policy. The title denoted not only seniority but also wisdom, experience, and civic responsibility.

It is worth noting that the office of alderman was abolished throughout England (except in the City of London) by the Local Government Act of 1972, as it was viewed as undemocratic. However, in Joseph Hubback's time, it was a mark of the highest civic honour – a recognition of a lifetime of public service and leadership.

Marriages and Family

Joseph Hubback was married at least three times. His third wife was Georgina Benison (later known as Georgina Eliott‑Lockhart), a widow who had been previously married to Captain Allan Eliott Lockhart. Together, Joseph and Georgina had seven children – five sons and two daughters:

Arthur Benison Hubback (1871–1948) – the renowned architect and Brigadier General who designed the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, Jamek Mosque, and other iconic buildings in Malaya.
Theodore Rathbone Hubback (1872–1942) – the civil engineer who became a pioneering conservationist and the founder of Taman Negara, Malaysia's oldest national park.
Joseph Guy Hubback (1876–1951) – a civil engineer and rubber broker who worked in Seremban and Singapore.
Mabel Josephine Hubback (1878–1969).
Ellen Charlotte Hubback.
George Clay Hubback (1882–1955) – who became the Bishop of Calcutta and Metropolitan of India, the highest‑ranking Anglican clergyman in the Indian subcontinent.

Joseph Hubback also had children from his earlier marriages. The 1861 census records him as a widower living with a nephew.

Portrait and Legacy

A portrait of Joseph Hubback, painted sometime between 1860 and 1880, is held by the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. The portrait, an oil on canvas measuring H 60 x W 50.8 cm, was transferred from Liverpool City Library in 1971.

Joseph Hubback passed away on 6 September 1883 at the age of 69. His death left Georgina to raise five young children on her own.

Legacy

While Joseph Hubback's sons went on to make their marks on the world stage – shaping the architecture of Kuala Lumpur, founding a national park in Malaysia, and leading the Anglican Church in India – their father laid the foundation for their success. He was a man of considerable standing in Liverpool: a successful merchant, a published author on economic policy, a city councillor, an alderman, and the city's mayor.

His legacy is preserved in the portrait that hangs in Liverpool's Walker Art Gallery, in the park he opened to the public, and in the remarkable achievements of his children. Joseph Hubback was not merely the father of famous sons; he was a civic leader in his own right, a man who embodied the values of enterprise, public service, and family that would define the Hubback name for generations.

This online tribute is my small way of honouring his memory – and the foundation upon which the extraordinary Hubback legacy was built.