Constituency : Newcastle-under-Lyme 1823-6 , Hastings 1826-30 (Tory), Nottinghamshire 1831-2, South Nottinghamshire 1832-7, Malton 1841-57, North Nottinghamshire 1857-72
Sir Evelyn seems to be counted in the Liberal totals for 1859 in most sources although he was actually Commons Speaker at the time and for the rest of his parliamentary career.
Evelyn was the son of an MP wealthy through the woollen cloth industry and a considerable landowner. Evelyn was educated at Eton and Oxford and elected as a Tory at 23 in 1823. He made his maiden speech resisting Russell's plans for parliamentary reform in 1826.He voluntarily switched to Hastings in 1826 then briefly held junior office at the admiralty under Canning and Goderich the following year. After Canning's death he attached himself to Huskisson and became an opponent of Wellington's administration. This meant relinquishing Hastings in 1830 and failing to get back in at Newcastle where a spoiling candidate targeted him. He tried to succeed Huskisson at Liverpool but was defeated by William Ewart. He was returned for both Nottinghamshire and Liverpool in 1831 but chose the former. He lost again in 1837 and returned for Malton four years later. He switched to North Nottinghamshire in 1857 and straight after was elected Speaker.
Having to step away from normal party issues Evelyn gave his attention to a project for an accessible commentary on the Bible for the ordinary reader. It was finally produced as The Bible Commentary but , due to Evelyn's involvement, became popularly known as "The Speaker's Commentary".
Due to failing health Evelyn stood down in 1872 and was created Viscount Ossington. He died the following year aged 73.
No comments:
Post a Comment