Sewallis Shirley (MP)
Encyclopedia
Sewallis Evelyn Shirley DL
, JP
(15 July 1844-7 March 1904), was a British politician. He is best known as the founder of the Kennel Club in Britain in 1873.
, Shirley was the son of Evelyn Shirley and Mary Clara Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Edmund Lechmere, 2nd Baronet. His paternal grandfather was Evelyn Philip Shirley
. Shirley was born at the family's English estate of Ettington Park at Stratford-upon-Avon
. He was educated at Eton
before matriculating to Christ Church, Oxford
in 1864, though he did not take a degree.
in Ireland, and they owned a large estate at Lough Fea at Carrickmacross
. Shirley entered Parliament for Monaghan
(a seat previously held by both his father and grandfather) in 1868, and won election through a promise to defend the protestant
constitution. He continued to represent the constituency until 1880, but rarely spoke in Parliament, and is thought to have lost his seat when opposition Liberal supporters ran a successful campaign based on tenants' rights. He attempted to return to politics in 1885, standing against an Irish nationalist candidate for the newly created seat of South Monaghan
, but was heavily deafeated.
Shirley was also a Deputy Lieutenant
and Justice of the Peace
for County Monaghan and served as High Sheriff of Monaghan
in 1884. Although heavily involved in local affairs, relations with the tenant farmers on his estates, which he inherited in 1882, was poor. This, combined with forced evictions following the agricultural depression of the 1880s, led to his estate being targeted by the Irish nationalists' Plan of Campaign
.
was formed, with Shirley sitting as secretary from 1873 to 1899.
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...
(15 July 1844-7 March 1904), was a British politician. He is best known as the founder of the Kennel Club in Britain in 1873.
Background and education
A member of the Shirley family headed by the Earl FerrersEarl Ferrers
Earl Ferrers is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain. It was created in 1711 for Robert Shirley, 13th Baron Ferrers of Chartley. The Shirley family descends from George Shirley of Astwell Castle, Northamptonshire....
, Shirley was the son of Evelyn Shirley and Mary Clara Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Edmund Lechmere, 2nd Baronet. His paternal grandfather was Evelyn Philip Shirley
Evelyn Shirley (1812–1882)
Evelyn Philip Shirley , was a British politician, antiquary and genealogist.-Background:Shirley was born in London, the eldest son of Evelyn Shirley and Eliza, daughter of Arthur Stanhope. He was a descendant of Robert Shirley, 1st Earl Ferrers...
. Shirley was born at the family's English estate of Ettington Park at Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon is a market town and civil parish in south Warwickshire, England. It lies on the River Avon, south east of Birmingham and south west of Warwick. It is the largest and most populous town of the District of Stratford-on-Avon, which uses the term "on" to indicate that it covers...
. He was educated at Eton
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
before matriculating to Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
in 1864, though he did not take a degree.
Political career
Shirley's family had a long connection with County MonaghanCounty Monaghan
County Monaghan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Monaghan. Monaghan County Council is the local authority for the county...
in Ireland, and they owned a large estate at Lough Fea at Carrickmacross
Carrickmacross
Carrickmacross or Carrickmacros is a town in County Monaghan, Ireland. The town and environs had a population of 4,387 according to the 2006 census, making it the second largest town in the county. The town won the prestigious European Entente Florale Silver Medal Award. It is a market town which...
. Shirley entered Parliament for Monaghan
Monaghan (UK Parliament constituency)
Monaghan is a former parliamentary constituency in Ireland, returning two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.-Members of Parliament:-References:...
(a seat previously held by both his father and grandfather) in 1868, and won election through a promise to defend the protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
constitution. He continued to represent the constituency until 1880, but rarely spoke in Parliament, and is thought to have lost his seat when opposition Liberal supporters ran a successful campaign based on tenants' rights. He attempted to return to politics in 1885, standing against an Irish nationalist candidate for the newly created seat of South Monaghan
South Monaghan (UK Parliament constituency)
South Monaghan was a parliamentary constituency in Ireland, returning one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, from 1885 to 1922....
, but was heavily deafeated.
Shirley was also a Deputy Lieutenant
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....
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 County Monaghan and served as High Sheriff of Monaghan
High Sheriff of Monaghan
The High Sheriff of Monaghan was the British monarch's representative in County Monaghan, a territory known as his bailiwick. Selected from three nominated people, he held his office over the duration of a year. He had judicial, ceremonial and administrative functions and executed High Court...
in 1884. Although heavily involved in local affairs, relations with the tenant farmers on his estates, which he inherited in 1882, was poor. This, combined with forced evictions following the agricultural depression of the 1880s, led to his estate being targeted by the Irish nationalists' Plan of Campaign
Plan of Campaign
The Plan of Campaign was a stratagem adopted in Ireland between 1886 and 1891, co-ordinated by Irish politicians for the benefit of tenant farmers, against mainly absentee and rack-rent landlords. It was launched to counter agricultural distress caused by the continual depression in prices of dairy...
.
Horse breeding
Throughout his life Shirley had a keen interest in dogs, both working dogs and pure breeds. In 1873 he brought together a group of similar minded people with the aim of creating an establishment of a governing body which would allow the definition of dog breeds to protect pedigrees and to improve the standards of hygiene at dog shows. Later that year, the Kennel ClubThe Kennel Club
The Kennel Club is a kennel club based in London and Aylesbury, United Kingdom.The Kennel Club registration system divides dogs into seven breed groups. The Kennel Club Groups are: Hound, Working, Terrier, Gundog, Pastoral, Utility and Toy...
was formed, with Shirley sitting as secretary from 1873 to 1899.