Peele (ca.1778 – 24 June 1808). Clapham attended Leaf Square Grammar School, a dissenting academy at Manchester, alongside his lifelong friend Edward Baines MP. He studied at the University of Glasgow and began a medical career at St Thomas' Hospital, London. For health reasons, he then made a Grand Tour of Europe, including Switzerland and Rome. Clapham married Mary Ann Clapham (Hunslet 1806 or 1807 – Ilkley 7 October 1878), daughter of Leeds magistrate and merchant John Clapham, at St Peter's Church, Leeds, on 11 April 1827, They had at least seven children: Mary (b.ca.1828), Emma (18 October 1830 – Southport 4 February 1899), William Henry (25 February 1833 – 19 August 1906) John Arthur (6 February 1835 – 28 December 1911), Anne (b.ca.1844), Frederick (ca.1846 – 14 May 1855), and Martha Clapham (b.ca.1848). When Mary Ann became ill in 1866, the couple moved to St Leonards-on-Sea, but came north again to the large villa of Brookside, Otley, where they both spent their last days. "In bodily health he was never strong; but by an active life and temperate living he survived the three score and ten." Career In 1842 Clapham "lost a fortune" in investments due to the failure of the shippers Bowden's of Hull. In 1845 his friend George Howard, 7th Earl of Carlisle appointed him to a position that he was to hold for life: treasurer of County Courts for Yorkshire. He had responsibility for the finances of 17 county courts, including Sheffield, York and Wakefield. Clapham qualified as a Justice of the Peace for the West Riding of Yorkshire at Knaresborough, Harrogate and Otley in August 1848. Public life Clapham was "one of the first aldermen and magistrates under the reformed municipal corporation." He was not a great public speaker, but "his cultivated mind and sound judgement more than compensated for any deficiency." He was "respected and trusted," and a "conscientious and honest worker." He took a "deep interest" in his work with the religious education of children. He was instrumental in the establishment of Sunday schools in the area, and he edited a compilation of hymns for children.In political and religious life he was ever to the fore. Education, whether religious or secular, had his warmest support, and he assisted schools and colleges to the best of his powers. He was one of the founders of the Ilkley Charity, now called the Ilkley Hospital, and