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Name
Clay, James
Birth date
1805
Death date
1873
Biography
Born in London in 1805, he was the son of a merchant. His uncle was Sir William Clay, MP for Tower Hamlets. James Clay was educated at Winchester, and in 1830 he travelled the East with Benjamin Disraeli, with whom he maintained a friendship throughout his life. In 1847 Clay was elected to Parliament for Hull, a position he held until he died in 1873 at Regency Square, Brighton. He had become a member of the Garrick Club in 1866 and is pictured in O’Neil’s group in the billiards room (G0793) with his son Frederick Clay (also a member, q.v.). His son Cecil Clay was well known in literary circles, and his son Ernest Clay was a distinguished diplomat. James Clay’s authoritative “Treatise on the Game of Whist” appeared in many editions. (DNB)