Markham served from 1900 to 1916[3] as LiberalM.P. for the Mansfield Division of Nottinghamshire.
He was created a baronet, Markham of Beachborough Park, Newington, Kent, on 10 July 1911. The districts of Beachborough and Newington are now eclipsed by the Eurotunnel terminus on the outskirts of Folkestone.[4]
Arthur Markham's technical skill, commercial insight and courage helped the development of considerable parts of the English and Welsh coalfields.[citation needed] He managed and owned a number of other coalmines, and there are many villages, businesses, streets and areas in Wales, Derbyshire and South Yorkshire bearing the name Markham. His brother was Charles Paxton Markham owner of Markham & Co. Engineering of Chesterfield. The firm was one of largest suppliers of coal mine winders. His brother was also director of Staveley Coal and Iron Company.
During the First World War, Markham and his wife Lady Lucy Markham nee Cunningham made their house near Folkestone available to the government for the accommodation of overseas officers and also purchased and sent aid packages to British prisoners of war in German hands. Lady Markham also nursed. Markham fought tirelessly against the recruitment of under age soldiers into the British Army during the war, and ultimately, these efforts contributed to his untimely death at the age of 49.[citation needed]
On his death, his eldest son, Charles, became the 2nd Baronet Markham of Arusha, East Africa.[4]
After his death, his sister Violet arranged for an annual competition to be held in memory of her brother.[2] The Arthur Markham Memorial Fund was used to give a prize for the best essay written by a manual worker on a subject chosen for that year. The competition had been chosen as both Markhams (Violet and Arthur) believed that there was untapped intelligence that needed to be rewarded.[2]
Coat of arms of Sir Arthur Markham, 1st Baronet
Crest
The winged lion of Saint Mark passant guardant Or resting its dexter fore-paw on a lozenge as in the arms the halo Gules.
Escutcheon
Azure on a pale Argent three lozenges Sable issuant from a chief engrailed Or a demi-lion rampant Gules.