Marcus Beresford (1818–1890)

"Southwark". Caricature by Spy published in Vanity Fair in 1876.

Funerary monument, Brompton Cemetery, London

Colonel Francis Marcus Beresford (August 1818 – 1 August 1890)^[1] was a British Conservative Party politician

Early life and education

He was born at Aylestone, Leicestershire, the fourth son of Rev Gilbert Beresford and his wife Anne.^[2] He was educated at King's College School, and went into business as a wharfinger.^[2]

Career

Beresford was commissioned into the 7th Surrey Rifle Volunteers (later 4th Volunteer Battalion, East Surrey Regiment). He became Captain-Commandant in February 1860 and was promoted Major-Commandant later the same month. In 1864 he was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel. By 1874 he was a Colonel.

He was elected at a by-election in February 1870 as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Southwark.^[3] He was re-elected in 1874, and held the seat until he stood down at the 1880 general election.^[3]

Personal life

He married twice. Firstly, Elizabeth Green, the daughter of George Green, on 20 September 1848 at St. Oswald Parish Church, Durham. They had six children. Secondly, Eleanor Richardson on 2 June 1881 at St. George, Hanover Square, London. His daughter Selina (1859–1938) married Sir Hay Frederick Donaldson, the son of Sir Stuart Donaldson.

He died on 1 August 1890 at Cliftonthorpe, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, and is buried in Brompton Cemetery, London.

References

1. Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "S" (part 4)
2. Robert Henry Mair, ed. (1872). Debrett's House of Commons and The Judicial Bench 1886. London: Dean and Son. p. 60. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
3. Craig, F. W. S. (1989) [1977]. British parliamentary election results 1832–1885 (2nd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 17. ISBN 0-900178-26-4.

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Marcus Beresford