The office of Lord Mayor of Liverpool has existed in one form or another since the foundation of Liverpool as a borough by the Royal Charter of King John in 1207, simply being referred to as the Mayor of Liverpool. The current Lord Mayor of Liverpool is the Right Worshipful Councillor Malcolm Kennedy who has held the post since May 2017. The most prominent Mayors were the Stanleys of Knowsley, of which Sir Thomas Stanley (son of the 3rd Earl) and the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 16th and 18th Earls of Derby have held this office since ancient times. The Molyneuxs of Sefton have also held this office on numerous occasions over the centuries: Sir Richard Molyneux, his grandson Sir Richard Molyneux Baronet, the 1st Viscount Molyneux and the 7th Earl of Sefton.
When Liverpool was granted city status in 1880 it was deemed necessary for the "second city of the Empire" to have a Lord Mayor. The city was granted a Lord Mayoralty on 3 August 1893 through letters patent making it the equal third oldest office of this kind in England along with Manchester.[citation needed] and Robert Durning Holt became the first Lord Mayor of Liverpool.[1]
For a substantial period of time the Lord Mayor of Liverpool used the prefix of "The Right Honourable" as did the Lord Mayor of London. Sir Albert Woods, Garter Principal King of Arms was of the opinion that this honorific should be enabled, due to the importance of Liverpool as a city second only to London. When Sir Alfred Scott-Gatty succeeded as King of Arms, he expressed the view that his predecessor had made an error. This changed nothing, however, and the city continued to use the prefix up until a Parliamentary statement in 1927. From then on the Lord Mayor was styled "The Right Worshipful".
In 1983, the Labour controlled Council replaced the office of Lord Mayor with that of Chairman. The Lord Mayoralty was formally restored in 1990.[3]
The traditional office of the Lord Mayor of Liverpool differs from that of the new directly elected Mayor of Liverpool, an executive position created in 2012 when the functions of the former Lord Mayor were divided. The Lord Mayor's role is now primarily ceremonial in order to represent the city at civic functions and engagements, promote the city nationally and internationally and support local charities and community groups.
Mayors of the Borough of Liverpool (1207–1880)
1207–91 Unknown
1292 John De More
1293 John De More
1294–1308 Unknown
1309 John De More
1337 Roger De More
1338 Adam of Liverpool
1339 Roger De More
1340 Adam of Liverpool
1341 Roger De More
1342 Adam of Liverpool
1343 Roger De More
1344 Adam of Liverpool
1345 Roger De More
1346 Adam of Liverpool
1347 Roger De More
1348 Adam of Liverpool
1349 Roger De More
1350 Adam of Liverpool
1351 William, Son of Adam
1352 Unknown
1353 William De Grenof
1356 William, Son of Adam
1358 William, Son of Adam
1361 William, Son of Adam
1369 William, Son of Adam
1373 John de Hull
1375–77 Richard de Aynesargh
1379 William, Son of Adam de Liverpool
1382 Richard de Aynesargh
1382–88 Thomas de La More
1396–97 Thomas de La More
1401 Robert De Derby
1416 Henry De Moysok
1425 Thurston De Holcroft
1428 John De Fasakerly
1448 William Gaythirde
1454William Gaythirde
1462 Gilbert Mercer
1474 John Davinport
1476 John Crosse
1477–1539 Unknown
1540–41 Thomas Hughton
1541–42 Sir Richard Molyneux (Grandfather of the 1st Baronet)
^Annual report and bulletin of the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool – Volumes 5–6 – Page 16 Walker Art Gallery – 1975 "He was the last Mayor and first Lord Mayor of Liverpool 1892-3. A son of George Holt (1790–1861), cotton broker, who founded the family fortunes"
^Gomer Williams History of the Liverpool – Privateers and Letters of Marque 2004 Page 572 "... Dr. James Currie, a native of Annandale, and father of William Wallace Currie, who became first Mayor of Liverpool, under the Municipal Corporations Bill."