Edward Wells (MP)
Edward Wells | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1821 Wallingford, Berkshire, England |
| Died | 1910-02-09 |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, politician |
| Years active | 19th century |
| Known for | Member of Parliament for Wallingford (1872–1880) |
Edward Wells (1821 – 9 February 1910) was a businessman and Conservative politician from Wallingford, which was part of Berkshire during his lifetime. He represented the constituency as a Member of Parliament (MP) between 1872 and 1880.
Early life and family
Born to Edward Wells of Wallingford, whose family had roots in the area dating back to the early 1700s, he pursued careers in banking and brewing, in addition to serving as an alderman for the town. His sibling, Thomas Frederick Wells (1837–1907), also held the position of alderman and was elected mayor on four occasions. The family operated the Wallingford Brewery, a significant local business. Wells married a niece of Sir Matthew Wood, who had been Lord Mayor of London.
Political career
Wells secured the Wallingford parliamentary seat in a by-election held in March 1872 after the previous Conservative MP, Stanley Vickers, passed away. With the Liberal candidate withdrawing, Wells was elected without opposition. In his speech upon election, he expressed opposition to secular schooling, advocated for lowering income tax, and voiced criticism of the Ballot Bill.
He successfully retained his seat during the 1874 general election but was defeated in 1880 by Liberal candidate Walter Wren, who won by a margin of 581 votes to 542. Wells challenged the result through a petition accusing Wren’s campaign of bribery and treating; this complaint was upheld, leading to the annulment of the election. Subsequently, a by-election took place in July 1880, where Liberal Pandeli Ralli emerged victorious. Although Ralli’s election was also contested on grounds of bribery, the petition failed due to insufficient proof implicating his agents.
In 1909, Wells achieved re-election as churchwarden at St Mary's Church in Wallingford for what was reported to be his sixty-seventh consecutive year in that role—a possible national record.