William Newmarch

William Newmarch (28 January 1820 – 23 March 1882) was an English banker, economist, and statistician. He rose from provincial banking posts to become a leading figure in London’s financial world, and made enduring contributions to economic journalism, statistical societies, and the history of prices. ( Wikipedia , NatWest Group )

Early Life and Education

Born at Thirsk, Yorkshire, Newmarch received a largely self-directed education. He began his career as a clerk for a distributor of stamps in York, then moved to the Yorkshire Fire and Life Office. From 1843 to 1846 he served as second cashier at Leatham, Few, and Co. in Wakefield, where he gained deep practical knowledge of banking operations. ( Wikipedia )

Career in Banking and Finance

In 1846 Newmarch relocated to London, joining the Agra Bank as an official (1846–1851). He then served as secretary of the Globe Insurance Company (1851–1862) before becoming chief officer at Glyn, Mills & Co. (1862–1881). His expertise in banking was regularly called upon by parliamentary committees, notably the Select Committee on the Bank Acts in 1857. ( Wikipedia , NatWest Group )

Statistical and Scholarly Contributions

• Royal Statistical Society : Honorary secretary (1854–1861), editor of the Journal of the Statistical Society (1852–1862), and President (1869–1871).
• Fellow of the Royal Society : Elected in 1861 in recognition of his statistical work.
• Political Economy Club : Treasurer from 1855 and active member of London’s leading economic discussion forum.
• Economic Journalism : For nearly two decades he provided the annual “commercial review” in The Economist , and contributed regularly to The Times and The Statist . ( Wikipedia , NatWest Group )

Selected Works

1. Guide to York (early, undated) – a topographical and historical handbook to his native city.
2. The New Supplies of Gold (1853) – analysis of mid-19th-century gold discoveries and their monetary impact.
3. Pitt’s Financial Operations (1855) – study of William Pitt the Younger’s fiscal policies.
4. A History of Prices (volumes vii–viii, 1857) – co-authored with Thomas Tooke, providing extensive statistical tables and commentary.
5. Political Perils (1859) – essays on contemporary economic policy challenges.
6. Annual Commercial Reviews for The Economist (circa 1862–1881) – surveys of trade, industry, and finance.
7. Numerous anonymous pamphlets and articles on banking, taxation, and monetary questions (published through the late 1870s). ( NatWest Group )

Legacy and Honors

• Newmarch Lectureship : Established at University College London after his death, fostering research in economic science and statistics. Lecturers have included Arthur Lyon Bowley, Josiah Stamp, Udny Yule, and Theodore Gregory.
• Remembered as a bridge between practical banking experience and rigorous statistical analysis, he helped professionalize economic journalism and statistical practice in Victorian Britain. ( Wikipedia , Wikipedia )

Death

William Newmarch died at Torquay on 23 March 1882 and was buried at West Norwood Cemetery. ( Wikipedia )

References

• “William Newmarch,” Wikipedia (accessed May 2025) ( Wikipedia )
• “William Newmarch,” NatWest Group Heritage Hub ( NatWest Group )
• Newmarch, William (1820–1882), Dictionary of National Biography ( en.wikisource.org )