...And a 'dangerous rogue'
In stark contrast to Sir John Finet, the enterprising Arthur Burr assumed ownership of Solton Manor during the early 1900s. Burr, known for his venturesome spirit, played a pivotal role in the development of the Kent coalfields for nearly two decades. His monumental contributions to the region earned him the prestigious Freedom of Dover in 1913, hailed as one of the city’s greatest benefactors.
Nevertheless, Burr’s narrative took a tragic turn when he faced legal action in 1914 for fraud and the misappropriation of shareholders’ funds. The judge, in a scathing indictment, branded him a ‘dangerous rogue’, resulting in a guilty verdict and subsequent bankruptcy. Burr’s demise in 1919 left behind a legacy of scandal and misfortune, forever intertwined with Solton Manor’s intricate history.