Blue Plaque: John Middlemore

John Middlemore was a prominent Birmingham philanthropist and politician, whose compassion and dedication to changing the lives of disadvantaged children left an enduring legacy on the city. 

Quaker values in action with a radical solution
Born into a Quaker family in Edgbaston, Birmingham, John Middlemore was instilled with strong values of social responsibility from an early age.  He is best known for his pioneering work in child emigration. Deeply concerned by the plight of destitute children in Birmingham, he established the Middlemore Homes in 1872. This initiative aimed to give orphaned and neglected children a new start in life by arranging for their emigration to Canada and other parts of the British Empire. The homes provided care and education before the children embarked on their journey, where they were then placed with families, often on farms. While this practice is viewed very differently today, at the time it was seen as a progressive solution to child poverty, offering opportunities not available in overcrowded British cities.

From local reformer to national voice
His philanthropic efforts extended beyond the Middlemore Homes. John Middlemore was also a Liberal Unionist Member of Parliament for Birmingham North from 1899 to 1918, using his political platform to advocate for social reforms and the welfare of children. He was a tireless champion for those less fortunate, dedicating his life to practical solutions for poverty and hardship.

John Middlemore passed away in 1924, leaving behind a profound impact on social welfare policy and the lives of thousands of children, a true testament to the power of individual philanthropy in addressing societal challenges.  Today the Sir John Middlemore Charitable Trust provides grants to organisations based in and working in the West Midlands who support those under the age of twenty-five who are “experiencing disadvantage”.