15 Facts About Madron Seligman

Richard Madron Seligman was a British Conservative Party politician.

Madron Seligman 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.

Madron Seligman held the seat until he retired in 1994.

Madron Seligman's ancestors were German Jewish bankers who dispersed to Britain and the United States in the 19th century.

Madron Seligman's father, Richard, founded an industrial machinery business and his mother, Hilda, was a sculptor, author, activist, and philanthropist.

Madron Seligman had an older sister, Audrey Babette Seligman, and three older brothers: Adrian, a Royal Navy Commander; Peter; and Oliver.

Madron Seligman read Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Balliol College, Oxford and became President of the Union.

Madron Seligman was an excellent sportsman, especially at cricket, rugby and tennis, and represented the university at skiing.

Madron Seligman fought in the North Africa and Italy campaigns, including at the Battle of Monte Cassino.

Madron 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.

Madron Seligman held the seat until he retired in 1994.

Madron Seligman was appointed Order of the British Empire in 1994.

Madron Seligman married Nancy-Joan Marks, in 1947, and they had three sons and a daughter.

Madron Seligman was well known as the oldest friend of the former prime minister Sir Edward Heath whom he met at Balliol College, Oxford, in 1937.

In 1939, in the days before the outbreak of war, he was on a hiking holiday with Heath in Germany and Poland, an especially risky endeavour for Madron Seligman, who was half Jewish.