Dictionary of Indian Biography/Caine, William Sproston
CAINE, WILLIAM SPROSTON (1842–1903)
Born March 26, 1842, son of Nathaniel Caine, wine merchant : educated at Birkenhead Park School : entered his father's business : preached : was M.P. for Scarborough, 1880 : Civil Lord of the Admiralty, 1884 : M.P. for Barrow-in-Furness, 1886 : resigned his seat, 1886 : M.P. for E. Bradford, 1892–5, for Camborne from 1900 : Temperance and India were his two chief subjects : was a strong teetotaler, and advocate of advanced temperance : President of the National Temperance Federation, and of similar Associations : a severe critic of the Government of India, and great friend of the natives of India : paid much attention to the Indian Excise (liquor) question : was strongly opposed to the Opium trade : paid visits to India : criticized missionary work in India : was a Member of the Royal Commission on Indian Expenditure : died March 17, 1903 : wrote Picturesque India, and Young India.