Edward Dawes (1805 – 27 January 1856)[1] was an EnglishRadical politician who served for one year as the Member of Parliament (MP) for theIsle of Wight. Born into modest circumstances on the island, he was provided for by his auntSophie Dawes, Baronne de Feuchères, who was the mistress ofDuke of Bourbon.
He was elected at a by-election in May 1851,[2][3] after the sittingWhig memberJohn Simeon hadresigned his seat.[4] The election was extremely unruly, with a violent mob causing damage and the death of one voter from a heart attack.The Times reported "The constituency of the isle has been in a perfect ferment during the whole of the election and broken panes and broken heads have been among the results".[5] Dawes (running on a policy offree trade) defeated his Conservative challenger Captain Hammond (who advocatedprotectionism) by 46 votes.[5][6]
However, at thegeneral election in July 1852 Dawes was defeated by theConservative Party candidate,Francis Venables-Vernon-Harcourt, who secured a majority of 101 votes.[3][7] Dawes did not stand forParliament again, but devoted himself to the study of agricultural chemistry. He was the author of a number of tracts on the subject.[8]
Dawes suffered from heart disease, and died while on a visit to the health resort ofSidmouth, Devon in January 1856. He was buried in the family vault atSt Helens, Isle of Wight.[8]
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| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forIsle of Wight 1851 –1852 | Succeeded by |