McKinnon Wood

Thomas McKinnon Wood PC (26 January 1855 – 26 March 1927) was a British Liberal politician. Regarded as a liberal with "sound Progressive credentials," he served as a member of H. H. Asquith's cabinet as Secretary for Scotland between 1912 and 1916 and as Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster between July and December 1916. He was also involved in London politics and served as Chairman of the London County Council between 1898 and 1899. Background and education Born in Stepney, Wood was the only son of Hugh Wood, a merchant and shipowner, by his second wife Jessie McKinnon, daughter of Reverend Thomas McKinnon. His father had been born in Orkney, where his father was a farmer, but had later settled in London. Wood was educated at the Brewers' Company School, Aldenham, Hertfordshire, Mill Hill School, and University College, London. He graduated in 1875 with honours in logic and moral philosophy. After graduating, he worked briefly on the 9th edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica, before joining the family business in 1878, after his father lost his sight. Although "McKinnon" was officially his middle name, as an adult he generally used "McKinnon Wood" as a double-barrelled surname. Political career McKinnon Wood was a member of the London County Council for Central Hackney from 1892 to 1909. From 1897 to 1908 he was leader of the Progressive Party and also served as Chairman of the council from 1898 to 1899. In 1907 he was appointed alderman, a post he held until 1909. He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of London in 1899. McKinnon Wood stood unsuccessfully as a parliamentary candidate for East Islington in 1895, Glasgow St. Rollox in 1900 and Orkney and Shetland in 1902. However, in 1906 he was elected for Glasgow St Rollox as a Liberal, a seat he held until 1918. In April 1908 McKinnon Wood was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education in the administration of H. H. Asquith, a post he held until October of the same year, when he became Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.