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Sir John Lubbock, the First Lord Avebury (1834-1913)
High Elms Estate, Shire Lane, Farnborough, BR6 7JH Bromley`s links with the Lubbock family dates back to 1808 when the original estate was bought and the estate was gradually enlarged and building works commenced. Originally the estate was used for sheep rearing but later greater emphasis was on dairy cattle and cereal crops. In the mid 19th century High Elms House and gardens were laid out as a Country Estate and had 30 employees. The estate was sold to Kent County Council in 1938 and was used as a nurses training centre. The estate then passed to Bromley Council in 1965 and has been preserved as Green Belt land available to all the public to enjoy the nature, animal habitats and to pursue leisure activities - this, we believe, would have been in keeping with the ideals of the first Lord Avebury.
Sir John Lubbock was born in 1834 and was a man who contributed much locally and nationally. He was a banker, Member of Parliament (that had later family links with the Borough through the election of Eric Lubbock, the grandson, as Liberal MP for Orpington), author and scientist. He was president of no less than 25 learned societies and an equal number of commercial organisations. In recognition he received honorary degrees from Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Dublin, St Andrews and Wurzburg.
Sir John Lubbock was raised to the peerage in 1900.
Charles Darwin, a near neighbour to High Elms, influenced the young John Lubbock and persuaded his father to give his son a microscope. It was through his contact with Charles Darwin that he acquired his love and respect of nature and science.
He was elected as the Liberal MP for Maidstone in 1870 and held his seat for 10 years. His stated aim in parliament was:
"To promote the study of science, both in secondary and primary schools, to quicken the repayment of the National Debt, and to secure some additional holidays and shorten the hours of labour in the shops"
His first success was in 1871 when the Bank Holiday Act was passed, this granted the August Bank Holiday. Some suggested that it should be called St Lubbock`s day - he became one of the most popular figures in England!
He later played a signification role in the Shops Hours Regulation Act - this limited the hours worked by person under eighteen to 74 hours per week - this was considered a major break through in working conditions at the time.
A range of similar Acts followed - Seats for Shop Assistants, Shop Hours Early Closing and Shops Sunday Closing.
On the sciences and commercial concerns he also introduced 30 Private Members Bills which included Bankers Books Evidence Act, Open Spaces Act, Wild Birds Protection Act and Public Libraries Act.
He also enjoyed writing and was considered a first class author. He had published some 27 books mainly relating to the natural sciences; many translated into the world`s major languages. One of the major commentators of the time said that one of the greatest services which John Lubbock rendered by his publications was to make plain to the layman the aims and conclusions of specialists.
His life was also involved in banking, geology, archaeology, anthropology and botany.
The Sir John Lubbock was keen to support the local community and even in his busy schedules he always found time to support local organisations and hosting local events at High Elms. He did scientific research at High Elms and surrounding area - he actually found the remains of a dinosaur at Green Street Green.
Sir John Lubbock, later the first Lord Avebury, was a man of vision, humanity and in search of knowledge and sharing knowledge. He lived life to the full.
The High Elms house, which he loved, was destroyed by fire on August Bank Holiday Monday in 1967. The Blue Plaque on the High Elms estate to Sir John Lubbock, the first Lord Avebury, is a permanent reminder of his many achievements and as a benefactor to those in need and extending knowledge to all in our nation.