Charles Burt

Sir Charles Burt (1832-5 March 1913) was a solicitor and local politician active in the Richmond area.

Born in Somerset, he moved to London where he became a solicitor in 1860, and a partner in the firm of Bircham & Co. in 1868.

He settled in Richmond, where he became a member of the local vestry. He led a successful campaign against the Southwark and Vauxhall Waterworks Company's plans to discharge waste water into the Thames at Richmond. The water company subsequently appointed his firm as their solicitors.

He was involved in the preservation of a number of open spaces in the Richmond area, assisting in the purchase of Marble Hill and the passage of the Richmond, Petersham and Ham Opens Spaces Act.

An active member of the Liberal Party, he twice unsuccessfully stood for election to parliament: at Southampton in 1892 and at Kingston upon Thames in 1895. He was also chairman and treasurer of the Royal Free Hospital.

When county councils were created in 1889, Burt was elected to the first Surrey County Council. In 1890 Richmond was incorporated as a borough, with a town council replacing the vestry. Burt served as the third Mayor of Richmond in 1892-93. He remained an alderman until his death. He was knighted in 1908.