Madron Seligman
Richard Madron Seligman was a British Conservative Party politician. He spent most of his career in industry, where he came to understand and support the European Economic Community and was latterly a member of the European Parliament, winning the Sussex West seat in 1979 by a record margin of 95,484 votes, which earned him a place in the Guinness Book of Records. He held the seat until he retired in 1994.
Background, early life and education
Seligman was born in Leatherhead, Surrey. His ancestors were German Jewish bankers who dispersed to Britain and the United States in the 19th century. His father, Richard, founded an industrial machinery business and his mother, Hilda, was a sculptor, author, activist, and philanthropist. He had an older sister, Audrey Babette Seligman, and three older brothers: Adrian, a Royal Navy Commander; Peter; and Oliver.Seligman was educated at Rokeby and at Harrow, where he played cricket for the school. He read Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Balliol College, Oxford and became Oxford Union|President of the Union]. He was an excellent sportsman, especially at cricket, rugby and tennis, and represented the university at skiing. He would later represent Britain in the sport at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo.
Wartime service
During World War II, Seligman served with the 6th Armoured Divisional Signals, rising to the rank of major. He fought in the North Africa and Italy campaigns, including at the Battle of Monte Cassino.Career
After the war, Seligman joined the industrial machinery business founded by his father. The A.P.V. Company, based in Crawley, produced a wide range of industrial equipment, mainly for food and drink processing. Seligman rose to be managing director.Seligman became a member of the European Parliament, winning the Sussex West seat in 1979 by a record margin of 95,484 votes, which earned him a place in the Guinness Book of Records. He held the seat until he retired in 1994. He was appointed Order of the British Empire in 1994.