title: Thomas Somerset (Northern Ireland politician)
text: # Thomas Somerset (Northern Ireland politician)
  
  Sir Thomas Somerset DL (14 December 1870 – 16 June 1947) was an industrialist and Ulster Unionist Member of Parliament (MP) for North Belfast from 1929 to 1945.
  
  ## Life and career
  
  The son of James Somerset, an engineer, he was educated at Largymore, County Down. He established Thomas Somerset and Co. Ltd., linen manufacturers in 1891. This enterprise proved profitable, with factories at Belfast, Greyabbey and Portaferry, giving employment to about 1500 people. He was also a director of Commercial Insurance Co. of Ireland, Ltd., and Chairman of the Northern Counties Committee of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway.
  
  Somerset was elected MP for North Belfast in 1929, holding his seat to 1945. He was knighted in 1936.
  
  ## Family
  
  Somerset married Ethel Parker of Cheshire and had two children, a son and daughter. The Somersets lived at The Weir, Upper Malone Road, Belfast.
  
  