Henry_FitzHardinge_Berkeley
Henry FitzHardinge Berkeley
British politician
Francis Henry FitzHardinge Berkeley (7 December 1794 – 10 March 1870) was a British politician.
Berkeley was the fourth son of Frederick Berkeley, 5th Earl of Berkeley, and Mary, daughter of William Cole. The validity of his parents' marriage was the subject of some controversy, and in 1811 the House of Lords decided that Berkeley and six of his twelve siblings were born out of wedlock. His brothers included William Berkeley, 1st Earl FitzHardinge, Maurice Berkeley, 1st Baron FitzHardinge, Grantley Berkeley and Craven Berkeley. He was educated at Christ Church, Oxford.
Berkeley was returned to Parliament as one of two representatives for Bristol in 1837, a seat he held until his death in 1870. He was a longstanding advocate of secret ballot reform, which was finally adopted after his death in 1872.
Berkeley died in March 1870, aged 75; his body is buried in St Dunstan's churchyard in Cranford.
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of Parliament for Bristol 1837–1870 With: Philip William Skinner Miles 1837–1852 Henry Gore-Langton 1852–1865 Sir Morton Peto, Bt 1865–1868 John Miles 1868 Samuel Morley 1868–1870 |
Succeeded by |