He was born into the wealthy Pease family of Darlington, Quakers who had prospered through a variety of enterprises including railways, coal mines, woolen manufacturing and a family bank which collapsed in 1902. His father Edwin Lucas Pease (died 1899) was the grandson of Joseph Pease (1772–1846), an abolitionist and founder of the Peace Society. He became Chairman of the Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company some times after his father's death in 1889, and was also a director of the Consett Iron Works.[3]
Craig, F. W. S. (1983) [1969]. British parliamentary election results 1918-1949 (3rd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. ISBN0-900178-06-X.