Evan Mathew Richards Explained

Evan Mathew Richards
Office:Member of Parliament
for Cardiganshire
Term Start:1868
Term End:1874
Predecessor:Sir Thomas Lloyd
Successor:Thomas Edward Lloyd
Birth Date:17 November 1821[1]
Death Date:21 August 1880
Birthname:Evan Mathew Richards
Nationality:British
Party:Liberal
Spouse:Maria Sloane

Evan Matthew Richards (17 November 1821 – 21 August 1880) was a Welsh Liberal politician who represented Cardiganshire in the British House of Commons from 1868 until his defeat at the general election of 1874.[2]

Early life and career

Richards was born in Swansea on 17 November 1821, the son of Richard and Catherine Richards (formerly Thomas). On 11 July 1844 he was married in Birmingham to Maria Sloane, a native of Northamptonshire. They had six sons and one daughter between 1845 and 1862. The eldest children were born in Birmingham but during the 1850s the family returned to Swansea. Richards commissioned a large house in Ffynone Road in Swansea which he named Brooklands; it was completed in 1863.[3]

Political career

1868 election

Richards was elected to represent Cardiganshire at the 1868 general election, a contest noted for allegations of landlord coercion.[4] His success in defeating John Vaughan, the Conservative candidate was alluded to the influence of the Pryse family of Gogerddan, leading landowners in the county. He also distanced himself from the Liberation Society which had sponsored the candidacy of Henry Richard in 1865.

The 1874 general election

When a general election was called at short notice in early 1874, Richards initially expected an unopposed return, but Thomas Edward Lloyd of Coedmore emerged at the last moment as a Conservative candidate, Lloyd was not a prominent landowner and his estate only comprised 450 acres. However, his father, Thomas Lloyd, a previous high sheriff of the county, was regarded as a Liberal rather than a Conservative.[5] Also, Lloyd had also not been involved in conflict with his tenantry, and his candidacy would not, therefore, attract the same degree of opposition as would face one of the more prominent landowners.[6]

Lloyd's candidacy was kept a closely guarded secret until nomination day, although his leaflets and campaign literature had been printed. The Liberal leaders in the county were unaware that they would be opposed until Lloyd's address, in which he described himself as a Liberal-Conservative, was published the morning of the nomination day.[7] In later years, there were allegations of irregularities, and that a ballot box had been tampered with when kept overnight at Aberaeron.[8]

Richards was defeated by 245 votes. The result was greeted with consternation and surprise in the Liberal ranks.[9]

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Family Trees. Ancestry (subscription required). 29 January 2018.
  2. News: The Conservative Victory in Cardiganshire (editorial).. 20 January 2018. Aberystwyth Observer. 14 February 1874. 2.
  3. News: Aberystwyth. Welsh Gazette and West Wales Advertiser. 20 March 1902. 22 July 2024.
  4. News: Cardiganshire Election. 1 February 2018. Aberystwyth Observer. 28 November 1868. 4.
  5. News: The Cardiganshire Election (editorial).. 18 January 2018. South Wales Daily News. 9 February 1874. 2.
  6. News: The Cardiganshire Election (editorial). 19 January 2018. South Wales Daily News. 5 February 1874. 2.
  7. News: Cardiganshire. 19 January 2018. South Wales Daily News. 5 February 1874. 3.
  8. News: Death of Mr Thomas Lloyd, Coedmore.. 16 January 2018. Cambrian News. 1 October 1909. 2.
  9. News: Liberal Defeat in Cardiganshire (editorial).. 18 January 2018. Cambrian News. 13 February 1874. 6.