Egerton Leigh
Encyclopedia
Egerton Leigh DL
, JP
(1815 – 1 July 1876) was a British soldier, landowner, Conservative
politician and author.
family, Leigh was the son of Egerton Leigh and Wilhelmina Sarah, daughter of George Stratton. The Leigh Baronets of South Caroline
were members of another branch of the family, while his first name was derived from his descent from John Egerton, 2nd Earl of Bridgewater
.
Leigh married Lydia Rachel, daughter of John Smith Wright, in 1842. They had several children, including Egerton Leigh, great-grandfather of the Conservative politician Edward Leigh
. He died in July 1876. His wife survived him by 17 years and died in April 1893.
and Justice of the Peace
for Cheshire, and served as High Sheriff
of the county in 1872. In 1873 he was returned to Parliament for Cheshire Mid
in a by-election, a seat he held until his death three years later.
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
, JP
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
(1815 – 1 July 1876) was a British soldier, landowner, Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
politician and author.
Personal life
The member of an ancient CheshireCheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
family, Leigh was the son of Egerton Leigh and Wilhelmina Sarah, daughter of George Stratton. The Leigh Baronets of South Caroline
Leigh Baronets
There have been six Baronetcies created for persons with the surname Leigh, two in the Baronetage of England, one in the Baronetage of Ireland, one in the Baronetage of Great Britain and two in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom...
were members of another branch of the family, while his first name was derived from his descent from John Egerton, 2nd Earl of Bridgewater
John Egerton, 2nd Earl of Bridgewater
John Egerton, 2nd Earl of Bridgewater PC was an English nobleman.He was a son of John Egerton, 1st Earl of Bridgewater and his wife Lady Frances Stanley...
.
Leigh married Lydia Rachel, daughter of John Smith Wright, in 1842. They had several children, including Egerton Leigh, great-grandfather of the Conservative politician Edward Leigh
Edward Leigh
Edward Julian Egerton Leigh is a British Conservative politician. He has sat in the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Gainsborough in Lincolnshire since 1997, and for its predecessor constituency of Gainsborough and Horncastle between 1983 and 1997...
. He died in July 1876. His wife survived him by 17 years and died in April 1893.
Military and political career
Leigh was a Captain in the 2nd Dragoon Guards and a Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel in the Cheshire Militia. He was also a Deputy LieutenantDeputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
and Justice of the Peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
for Cheshire, and served as High Sheriff
High Sheriff
A high sheriff is, or was, a law enforcement officer in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.In England and Wales, the office is unpaid and partly ceremonial, appointed by the Crown through a warrant from the Privy Council. In Cornwall, the High Sheriff is appointed by the Duke of...
of the county in 1872. In 1873 he was returned to Parliament for Cheshire Mid
Mid Cheshire (UK Parliament constituency)
Mid Cheshire is a former United Kingdom Parliamentary constituency. It was created upon the abolition of North Cheshire and South Cheshire in 1868 and the redivision of Cheshire into Mid Cheshire, East Cheshire, West Cheshire and Stalybridge...
in a by-election, a seat he held until his death three years later.