William Rathbone V
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William Rathbone V (17 June 1787-1 February 1868), was a member of the noted Rathbone family of Liverpool. He was the eldest son of William Rathbone IV and Hannah Mary (nee Reynolds).
He was a Liverpool merchant in partnership with Richard Rathbone, his brother. He was elected a Liberal councillor for Liverpool in 1835 and Mayor of Liverpool in 1837, and fought for many cases of social reform. He was an active supporter of the Municipal Reform Act 1835, supported Kitty Wilkinson in establishing Liverpool public baths and wash-houses following the devastation of the cholera epidemic and was responsible for the for distribution of New England Relief funds for Irish famine 1846-1847.
He married Elizabeth (1790-1882) daughter of Samuel Greg of Quarry Bank, Cheshire and Hannah (nee Lightbody) in 1812 and had four children: Hannah Mary (later Thom), William Rathbone VI, Samuel Greg and Philip Henry. He died on 1 Feb 1868 at Greenbank House, with over 1000 mourners attending his funeral.
