James Milnes Gaskell DL JP (19 October 1810 – 5 February 1873) was a British Conservative politician.
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Early life
James Milnes-Gaskell was born on 19 October 1810. He was the only child of Mary (née Brandreth) Gaskell (a daughter of Dr. Joseph Brandreth of Liverpool) and Benjamin Gaskell (1781–1856) of Thornes House, Wakefield, West Yorkshire and Clifton Hall, Lancashire. His father was a Whig MP for Maldon. His paternal grandparents were Daniel Gaskell and Hannah (née Noble) Gaskell (daughter of James Noble of Lancaster).
He was educated at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford. His political interest may have been influenced by meeting lifelong friend William Ewart Gladstone as a school contemporary, and receiving visits during term from George Canning.
Career
He was M.P. for Wenlock in Shropshire from 1832 until retiring in 1868. His uncle, Daniel Gaskell, also entered Parliament as first M.P. for Wakefield in 1832, at same general election as James. He served as a Lord of the Treasury from 1841 to 11 March 1846 under Sir Robert Peel's administration.