Lunn, Sir Henry Simpson (1859-1939), travel agent

Worker for ecclesiastical reunion and travel agent. Founded Henry Lunn Travel which later became Lunn Poly following a merger with the Polytechnic Touring Association. Lunn Poly is now TUI.

In 1908 he convened a meeting at the Devonshire Club to found the Alpine Ski Club, a gentleman’s club for ski-mountaineers.

He was a vocal opponent of the Boer War but remained in the confidences of leading politicians. He became a Knight Bachelor in 1910 and was active in Liberal politics, forming a strong friendship with Asquith. He stood twice for Parliament in 1910 for Boston and 1923 for Brighton, but was unsuccessful. In 1924 he was the first Editor of "The Review of The English Churches". The first edition was published in January of that year and included an article on Birth Contol and Prohibition in The United States. He helped form the Irish Protestant Home Rule Association. Although he continued to travel and promote his vision of the union of churches with the League of Nations, his company (renamed as Sir Henry Lunn Travel) grew to become one of the largest travel agents in Britain. During the 1960s the company was merged with the Polytechnic Touring Association to form Lunn Poly.

He wrote his autobiography called Nearing Harbour in 1934. He died at St John and St Elizabeth hospital in St John's Wood.