Sir Thomas Dixon, 2nd Baronet

Sir Thomas James Dixon, 2nd Baronet, PC (NI) (29 May 1868 – 10 May 1950), was a Northern Ireland politician.

Dixon was the eldest son of Sir Daniel Dixon, 1st Baronet, Lord Mayor of Belfast, and his wife, Eliza (née Agnew). He succeeded his father as second Baronet in 1907. Dixon was a Member of the Senate of Northern Ireland from 1924–50, and was admitted to the Privy Council of Northern Ireland in 1931. He served as High Sheriff of Antrim in 1912,^[1] and of County Down in 1913. He was Lord Lieutenant of Belfast between 1924–50.

Dixon married Edith Stewart Clark on 7 February 1906. He died in May 1950, aged 81, and was succeeded in the baronetcy by his younger brother Herbert, who had already been elevated to the peerage as Baron Glentoran.

In 1919, Dixon purchased Wilmont House and its estates in Belfast for £21,500.^[2] Lady Dixon was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her services during World War I.

Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, was a guest in 1935 and General Collins of the United States Army was billeted at Wilmont House during World War II.

Legacy

In 1959, Wilmont House and the estate was presented to Belfast Corporation “for the greatest good of the citizens of the City of Belfast” by Lady Dixon in memory of her husband. Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park opened the same year.^[3]

References

1. "Belfast City Council - Dundonald Cemetery". Retrieved 19 July 2009.
2. "Ulster Walks: Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park". Belfast Telegraph. 18 October 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
3. "Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park". Disabled Ramblers Northern Ireland. Retrieved 5 August 2010.

Sources

• Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990.
• Leigh Rayment's list of baronets