On This Day

September 12, 1783

Birth of Edward Ellice, a key player in the passing of the 1832 Reform Act

Ellice was elected Whig-Radical and later Liberal MP for Coventry from 1818 until 1826 and again from 1830 until his death in 1863. He was the brother-in-law of Charles Grey, who as Earl Grey was Prime Minister from 1830-34 and under him Ellice served as an unofficial whip and played a significant role in the passage of the First Reform Act. Ellice owned great highland estates and was a deputy lieutenant of Inverness-shire. He was also the father of Edward Ellice who was Liberal MP for St Andrews Burghs from 1837-1880.