Hume , James Deacon , 1774-1842 , customs official

Hume was born at Newington, Surrey on 28 April 1774 and received his education from Westminster School. In 1791 he became a clerk and later a controller of customs at Custom House in Thames Street, London. Between 1822 and 1825 Hume was given leave by the Treasury to study the laws of customs. His findings were published in ten acts in July 1825. In 1828 he was appointed joint secretary of the Board of Trade, which he retired from in 1840. During his time at the Board of Trade, Hume undertook an investigation in to silk duties and gave evidence before a committee on timber duties. From 1821 to 1841 he regularly attended meetings of the Political Economy Club, which he helped to establish in 1821. On retirement in 1840 he went to live in Reigate, Surrey. Although retired he gave evidence on the Corn Law and duties on coffee, tea and sugar. Hume died in Reigate on 12 January 1842.