English politician
Sir William Ryland Dent Adkins (11 May 1862 – 30 January 1925) was an English barrister, judge and Liberal Party politician.
Family and education.
Ryland Adkins, as he was known at least professionally, was the son of William Adkins JP of Springfield, Northampton and his wife Harriet (née Dent) of the Manor House, Milton, Northampton. He was educated at Mill Hill School, University College, London where he obtained a BA degree and Balliol College, Oxford where he won a History Exhibition. He was an ardent Free churchman and was an active member of the Congregational Union.
Career.
Adkins studied for the law and in 1890 was called to the Bar by the Inner Temple. He practised on the Midland circuit, took silk in 1920 and sat occasionally as a Commissioner of Assize. He served as Recorder of Nottingham from 1911 to 1920. From 1920 until his death he sat as Recorder of Birmingham. He was knighted in 1911.
Politics.
Northamptonshire politics.
Adkins was an original member of Northamptonshire County Council at its creation in 1889. He was for many years its Vice Chairman and became Chairman of the County Council in 1920. He was also Vice-Chairman of the Northamptonshire Territorial Force Association and played an important role in recruiting during the First World War. He later served as Chairman of the Executive Council of the Association of County Councils. He was created Deputy Lieutenant of Northamptonshire in 1922 and served for many as a JP for the county and Borough of Northampton. Adkins was proud of his Northamptonshire heritage and was the author of a book about the county in 1893 and a contributor to a number of others including the Victoria History of the County.
Parliament.
Adkins was first elected to Parliament at the 1906 general election as Liberal MP for Middleton, Lancashire in a straight fight with the Unionists by a majority of 1,533 votes. 