Oxfordshire (UK Parliament constituency)

Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1801–1885

Oxfordshire

Former county constituency
for the House of Commons
County| Oxfordshire
1290–1885
Seats| 1290–1832: Two
1832–1885: Three
Replaced by| Banbury, Woodstock and Henley

Oxfordshire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of England then of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1885. It was represented by two Members of Parliament. In 1832 this was increased to three Members of Parliament. The constituency was abolished in 1885, being split into three single member divisions.

The bitterly contested Oxfordshire election of 1754 was the main inspiration for Hogarth's famous series of paintings and engravings, The Election.

Hogarth's painting The Polling (1755), one of a series depicting the Oxfordshire election of 1754

## Boundaries

[edit]

The constituency comprised the whole of the historic county of Oxfordshire, in the northern part of South East England. (Although Oxfordshire contained three parliamentary boroughs for part of this period – Oxford (from 1295), Woodstock (or New Woodstock) (1302–1555 and from 1571) and Banbury (from 1554) – each of which elected MPs in their own right, these were not excluded from the county constituency, and owning property within the borough could confer a vote at the county election. The Oxford University constituency was also often listed as an Oxfordshire constituency, but was non-territorial and had no effect on the right to vote in the county.)

There were minor boundary changes at the time of the Great Reform Act in 1832, when five parishes or parts of parishes were transferred to other counties while six parishes or parts of parishes were added.

In 1885 the representation of the county was changed from one three member constituency to three single member divisions. Banbury and Woodstock ceased to be parliamentary boroughs but the same names were used for two county divisions. The three new county constituencies were Banbury (or the North division); Woodstock (or the Mid division) and Henley (or the South division).

## Members of Parliament

[edit]

### MPs 1290–1640

[edit]

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (August 2008)

|

Parliament | First member | Second member

|
|

1316 | Richard de la Bere |
1325 | Richard de la Bere |
1372 | Sir Gilbert Wace |
1373 | Sir Richard Abberbury |
1377–1378 | Robert Simeon |
1377 (Jan) | Sir Gilbert Wace |
1380 | John Harrowden |
1381 | Sir Thomas Blount |
1382 (Oct) | Sir Gilbert Wace |
1383 (Feb) | Sir Gilbert Wace | John Harrowden
1383 (Oct) | Sir Gilbert Wace | John Harrowden
1384 (Apr) | Sir Gilbert Wace |
1384 (Nov) | Sir Gilbert Wace |
1385 | Sir Gilbert Wace |
1386 | Sir Richard Abberbury[1] | Sir Gilbert Wace[1]
1388 (Feb) | William Wilcotes[1] | Thomas Barantyn[1]
1388 (Sep) | Sir Thomas de la Poyle[1] | John Rede[1]
1390 (Jan) | William Wilcotes[1] | Thomas Barantyn[1]
1390 (Nov) | Sir Thomas de la Poyle[1]
1391 | William Wilcotes[1] | John Rede[1]
1393 | Sir Thomas Paynell[1] | Thomas Barantyn[1]
1394 | William Wilcotes[1] | John Abberbury[1]
1395 | William Bruley[1]
1397 (Jan) | John Abberbury[1] | Thomas Barantyn[1]
1397 (Sep) | William Wilcotes[1] | John Golafre[1]
1399 | John Wilcotes[1] | Thomas Barantyn[1]
1401 | Thomas Chaucer[1]
1402 | Thomas Wykeham[1]
1404 (Jan) | Sir Peter Bessels[1] | William Mackney[1]
1404 (Oct) | Sir John Drayton[1] | John Wilcotes[1]
1406 | Thomas Chaucer[1]
1407
1410 | William Wilcotes[1]
1411 | return lost[1]
1413 (Feb) | returns lost
1413 (May) | Thomas Chaucer | John Wilcotes[1]
1414 (Apr) | Sir William Lisle | John Wilcotes[1]
1414 (Nov) | Thomas Chaucer | John Wilcotes[1]
1415 | returns lost
1416 (Mar) | Thomas Stonor | Sir Thomas Wykeham[1]
1416 (Oct) | returns lost
1417 | Sir William Lisle | John Wilcotes[1]
1419 | Thomas Stonor | John Wilcotes[1]
1420 | John Danvers | Richard Greville[1]
1421 (May) | Thomas Chaucer | John Wilcotes[1]
1421 (Dec) | John Danvers | Peter Fettiplace[1]
1422 | Sir Thomas Wykeham | Thomas Chaucer
1423 | John Danvers | Peter Fettiplace
1425 |  | Thomas Stonor
1426 | Thomas Chaucer |
1427 | Thomas Stonor | Thomas Chaucer
1429 | Thomas Stonor | Thomas Chaucer
1431 | Thomas Stonor | Thomas Chaucer
1432 | Richard Quatremain[2]
1433 | Richard Quatremain[2]
1435 | Peter Fettiplace | John Danvers[3]
1510–1523 | No names known [4]
1529 | Sir John Dauntesey | Sir William Barentyne[4]
1536 |
1539 | William Fermor | John Welsborne[4]
1542 | Sir John Williams | Edward __? [4]
1545 |
1547 | Sir John Williams | Richard Fiennes[4]
1553 (Mar) | Sir Andrew Dudley | Sir John Williams[4]
1553 (Oct) | Sir John Williams | John Pollard[5][4]
1554 (Apr) | Sir Leonard Chamberlain | John Pollard[5][4]
1554 (Nov) | Sir Leonard Chamberlain | John Pollard[5][4]
1555 | Sir Thomas Wenman | Edmund Powell [4]
1558 | George Owen | Thomas Denton[4]
1559 (Jan) | Thomas Brydges | Edmund Ashfield[6]
1562 (Dec) | Sir Francis Knollys | Sir Richard Blount, died
and replaced 1566 by Edward Unton[6]
1571 | Sir Francis Knollys | Henry Norris[6]
1572 (Apr) | Sir Francis Knollys | Henry Knollys[6]
1584 (Nov) | Sir Francis Knollys | William Knollys[6]
1586 (Oct) | Sir Francis Knollys | Richard Fiennes[6]
1588 | Sir Francis Knollys | Sir John Norreys[6]
1593 | Sir Francis Knollys | Sir William Knollys[6]
1597 (Sep) | Sir William Knollys | Sir Richard Wenman[6]
1601 (Sep) | Sir William Knollys | Ralph Warcoppe[6]
1604 | Lawrence Tanfield | John Doyley
1614 | Sir Anthony Cope, 1st Baronet | Sir John Croke
1621 | Sir Richard Wenman | Sir William Cope
1624 | Sir William Cope | Sir Henry Poole
1625 | Edward Wray | Sir Richard Wenman
1626 | Hon. James Fiennes | Sir Thomas Wenman
1628 | Hon. James Fiennes | Sir Francis Wenman
1629–1640 | No Parliament

### MPs 1640–1832

[edit]

Year |  | First member | First party |  | Second member | Second party

|
|
|
|
|
|

April 1640 |  | Hon. James Fiennes | Parliamentarian |  | Sir Francis Wenman |
November 1640 |  | The Viscount Wenman | Parliamentarian
December 1648  | Fiennes and Wenman excluded in Pride's Purge – both seats vacant
Oxfordshire had 3 representatives in the nominated Barebones Parliament
1653  | Sir Charles Wolseley, William Draper, Dr Jonathan Goddard
Oxfordshire had 5 MPs in the First and Second Parliaments of the Protectorate
1654 | Robert Jenkinson, Charles Fleetwood, Colonel James Whitelocke, Nathaniel Fiennes, William Lenthall
1656 | Robert Jenkinson, Lord Deputy Charles Fleetwood, William Lenthall, Miles Fleetwood, Sir Francis Norreys
Representation reverted to two MPs in the Third Protectorate Parliament
January 1659 |  | Robert Jenkinson |  |  | The Viscount Falkland |
May 1659 | Not represented in the restored Rump
April 1660  |  | The Viscount Wenman |  |  | Hon. James Fiennes |
1661  |  | The Viscount Falkland |  |  | Sir Anthony Cope |
1663  |  | William Knollys |
1664  |  | Sir Francis Wenman |
1675  |  | Sir Edward Norreys | Tory
February 1679  |  | Sir John Cope | Whig
August 1679  |  | Thomas Horde |
1681  |  | Sir Philip Harcourt |
1685  |  | The Viscount Falkland |  |  | Thomas Tipping |
1689  |  | Sir Robert Jenkinson |  |  | Sir John Cope | Whig
1690  |  | Lord Norreys |
1699  |  | Sir Robert Dashwood |
1701  |  | Sir Edward Norreys | Tory
1708  |  | Viscount Rialton |
February 1710  |  | Sir Robert Jenkinson |
October 1710  |  | Francis Clerke |
1715  |  | James Herbert |
1717  |  | Sir Banks Jenkinson |
1721  |  | Henry Perrot |
1727  |  | Sir William Stapleton |
January 1740  |  | Sir James Dashwood |
February 1740  |  | Viscount Quarendon |
1743  |  | Norreys Bertie |
1754  |  | Viscount Parker | Whig |  | Sir Edward Turner | Whig
1761  |  | Lord Charles Spencer | Whig |  | Sir James Dashwood | Tory
1768  |  | The Viscount Wenman |
1790  |  | Marquess of Blandford | Whig
1796  |  | Lord Charles Spencer | Whig |  | John Fane | Tory[7]
1801  |  | Lord Francis Spencer | Tory[7]
1815  |  | William Henry Ashhurst | Tory[7]
1824 by-election  |  | John Fane | Tory[7]
1830 |  | Lord Norreys | Tory[7]
1831 |  | George Harcourt | Whig[7] |  | Richard Weyland | Whig[7]
1832 | Representation increased to three members

### MPs 1832–1885

[edit]

Election |  | First member | First party |  | Second member | Second party |  | Third member | Third party

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1832 |  | Montagu Bertie | Tory[7][8] |  | George Harcourt | Whig[7] |  | Richard Weyland | Whig[7][8]
1834 |  | Conservative[7][8]
1835 |  | Conservative[7]
1837 |  | Thomas Parker | Conservative[7]
1841 |  | J. W. Henley | Conservative[7]
1852 |  | John North | Conservative
1857 |  | Peelite[9][10][11]
1859 |  | Liberal
1862 by-election |  | John Fane | Conservative
1868 |  | William Cornwallis Cartwright | Liberal
1878 by-election |  | Edward Vernon Harcourt | Conservative
1885 | Constituency abolished, replaced by Banbury, Woodstock, and Henley

## Elections

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The county franchise, from 1430, was held by the adult male owners of freehold land valued at 40 shillings or more. The bloc vote electoral system was used in two seat elections and first past the post for single member by-elections. Each elector had as many votes as there were seats to be filled. Votes had to be cast by a spoken declaration, in public, at the hustings, which took place in Oxford. The expense and difficulty of voting at only one location in the county, together with the lack of a secret ballot contributed to the corruption and intimidation of electors, which was widespread in the unreformed British political system.

The expense, to candidates and their supporters, of contested elections encouraged the leading families of the county to agree on the candidates to be returned unopposed whenever possible. Contested county elections were therefore unusual. The Tory Dukes of Marlborough, dominated the county from their seat at Blenheim Palace. One seat was usually held by a Spencer, the other by a local family acceptable to the Duke. Between 1700 and 1826 there was only one contest.

## Election results

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Note on percentage change calculations: Where there was only one candidate of a party in successive elections, for the same number of seats, change is calculated on the party percentage vote. Where there was more than one candidate, in one or both successive elections for the same number of seats, then change is calculated on the individual percentage vote.

Note on sources: The information for the election results given below is taken from Stooks Smith 1715–1754, Namier and Brooke 1754–1790 and Stooks Smith 1790–1832. From 1832 the principal source was Craig, with additional or different information from Stooks Smith included.

### Election results 1715–1800

[edit]

1710s –

1720s – 1730s – 1740s – 1750s – 1760s – 1770s – 1780s – 1790s

#### Elections in the 1710s

[edit]

General election 1715: Oxfordshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Francis Clerke | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Robert Jenkinson | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

* Death of Clerke

By-election May 1715: Oxfordshire  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | James Herbert | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A |

* Death of Jenkinson

By-election November 1717: Oxfordshire  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Banks Jenkinson | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A |

#### Elections in the 1720s

[edit]

* Death of Herbert

By-election May 1722: Oxfordshire  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Henry Perrot | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A |
General election 1722: Oxfordshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Banks Jenkinson | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Henry Perrot | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
General election 1727: Oxfordshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Henry Perrot | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | William Stapleton | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

#### Elections in the 1730s

[edit]

General election 1734: Oxfordshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Henry Perrot | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | William Stapleton | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

* Death of Stapleton

By-election January 1739: Oxfordshire  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | James Dashwood | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A |

* Death of Perrot

By-election February 1739: Oxfordshire  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | George Lee | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A |

#### Elections in the 1740s

[edit]

General election 1741: Oxfordshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | James Dashwood | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | George Lee | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

* Succession of Quarendon to the peerage as The 3rd Earl of Lichfield

By-election February 1742: Oxfordshire  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Norris Bertie | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A |
General election 1747: Oxfordshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | James Dashwood | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Norris Bertie | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

#### Elections in the 1750s

[edit]

General election 17 April 1754: Oxfordshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | Philip Wenman | 2,033  | 25.88  | N/A
| Tory | James Dashwood | 2,014  | 25.64  | N/A
| Whig | Thomas Parker | 1,919  | 24.43  | N/A
| Whig | Edward Turner | 1,890  | 24.06  | N/A
Turnout | 7,856  | N/A | N/A

* Wenman was a Peer of Ireland. There was a double return (of all four candidates) after the most hotly contested county election of the century. The disputed election was decided by the House of Commons on petition, with Parker and Turner being declared duly elected on 23 April 1755.

#### Elections in the 1760s

[edit]

General election 8 April 1761: Oxfordshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | Charles Spencer | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Tory | James Dashwood | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

* Seat vacated on Spencer being appointed Ranger of Windsor Forest.

By-election 12 January 1763: Oxfordshire  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Whig | Charles Spencer | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Whig hold | Swing | N/A |

* Seat vacated on Spencer being appointed Comptroller of the Household.

By-election April 1763: Oxfordshire  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Whig | Charles Spencer | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Whig hold | Swing | N/A |

* Note (April 1763): By-election in Stooks Smith, but not in Namier and Brooke.

General election 30 March 1768: Oxfordshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Charles Spencer | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Philip Wenman | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

* Wenman was a peer of Ireland

#### Elections in the 1770s

[edit]

General election 19 October 1774: Oxfordshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Charles Spencer | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Philip Wenman | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

* Seat vacated on the appointment of Spencer as Treasurer of the Chamber

By-election 22 December 1779: Oxfordshire  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Charles Spencer | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A |

#### Elections in the 1780s

[edit]

General election 27 September 1780: Oxfordshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Charles Spencer | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Philip Wenman | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

* Seat vacated on the appointment of Spencer as a Vice Treasurer of Ireland

By-election 18 December 1782: Oxfordshire  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Charles Spencer | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A |
General election 7 April 1784: Oxfordshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Charles Spencer | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Philip Wenman | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

#### Elections in the 1790s

[edit]

General election 1790: Oxfordshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Philip Wenman | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | George Spencer-Churchill | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
General election 1796: Oxfordshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Charles Spencer | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | John Fane | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

### Election results 1801–1885

[edit]

1800s –

1810s – 1820s – 1830s – 1840s – 1850s – 1860s – 1870s – 1880s

#### Elections in the 1800s

[edit]

* Seat vacated on the appointment of Spencer as Postmaster General

By-election February 1801: Oxfordshire  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Francis Spencer | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold
General election 1802: Oxfordshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | John Fane | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Tory | Francis Spencer | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
General election 1806: Oxfordshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | John Fane | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Tory | Francis Spencer | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
General election 1807: Oxfordshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | John Fane | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Tory | Francis Spencer | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

#### Elections in the 1810s

[edit]

General election 1812: Oxfordshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | John Fane | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Tory | Francis Spencer | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

* Creation of Spencer as 1st Baron Churchill

By-election February 1816: Oxfordshire  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | William Henry Ashurst (politician)  | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Tory hold | Swing | N/A |
General election 1818: Oxfordshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | John Fane | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Tory | William Henry Ashurst (politician)  | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

#### Elections in the 1820s

[edit]

General election 1820: Oxfordshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | John Fane | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Tory | William Henry Ashurst (politician)  | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

* Death of Fane

By-election February 1824: Oxfordshire  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | John Fane | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Tory hold
General election 1826: Oxfordshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | William Henry Ashurst (politician)  | 1,329  | 36.36  | N/A
| Tory | John Fane | 1,268  | 34.69  | N/A
| Whig | George Frederick Stratton | 1,058  | 28.95  | New
Majority  | 210  | 5.74  | N/A
Turnout | 3,655 (2,295 voted)  | N/A | N/A
| Tory hold | Swing |  |
| Tory hold | Swing |  |

Note (1826): Stooks Smith records that the polls were open for three days

#### Elections in the 1830s

[edit]

General election 1830: Oxfordshire (2 seats)[7][12] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | John Fane | 1,904  | 39.9  | +3.5
| Tory | Montagu Bertie | 1,618  | 33.9  | −0.8
| Whig | George Dashwood | 1,246  | 26.1  | −2.8
Majority  | 372  | 7.8  | +2.1
Turnout | 2,762  | c. 78.9 |
Registered electors | c. 3,500 |  |
| Tory hold | Swing |  |
| Tory hold | Swing |  |
General election 1831: Oxfordshire (2 seats)[7][12] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | George Harcourt | 1,782  | 37.2  | +24.1
| Whig | Richard Weyland | 1,688  | 35.3  | +22.2
| Tory | Montagu Bertie | 1,316  | 27.5  | −46.3
Majority  | 372  | 7.8  | ±0.0
Turnout | 2,934  | c. 83.8 | c. +4.9
Registered electors | c. 3,500 |  |
| Whig gain from Tory | Swing | +23.6  |
| Whig gain from Tory | Swing | +22.7  |

* Note (1831): Stooks Smith records that the polls were open for three days
* Representation increased to three seats under the Reform Act 1832

General election 1832: Oxfordshire (3 seats)[13][7] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Whig | George Harcourt | Unopposed
| Whig | Richard Weyland | Unopposed
| Tory | Montagu Bertie | Unopposed
Registered electors | 4,721  |
| Whig hold
| Whig hold
| Tory win (new seat)
General election 1835: Oxfordshire (3 seats)[13][7] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Whig | Richard Weyland | Unopposed
| Conservative | George Harcourt | Unopposed
| Conservative | Montagu Bertie | Unopposed
Registered electors | 4,716  |
| Whig hold
| Conservative hold
| Conservative gain from Whig

* Note (1835): For this election Stooks Smith records the number of registered electors as 5,164 instead of the number given by Craig used above.

General election 1837: Oxfordshire (3 seats)[13][7] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Conservative | Montagu Bertie | 3,002  | 29.7
| Conservative | George Harcourt | 2,885  | 28.5
| Conservative | Thomas Parker | 2,767  | 27.4
| Whig | Thomas Stonor  | 1,458  | 14.4
Majority  | 1,309  | 13.0
Turnout | 4,125  | 78.5
Registered electors | 5,253  |
| Conservative hold
| Conservative hold
| Conservative gain from Whig

#### Elections in the 1840s

[edit]

General election 1841: Oxfordshire (3 seats)[13] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | George Harcourt | Unopposed
| Conservative | J. W. Henley | Unopposed
| Conservative | Montagu Bertie | Unopposed
Registered electors | 5,809  |  |
| Conservative hold
| Conservative hold
| Conservative hold

* Note (1841): Stooks Smith records the number of registered electors as 5,721 instead of the number given by Craig used above.

General election 1847: Oxfordshire (3 seats)[13] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | George Harcourt | Unopposed
| Conservative | J. W. Henley | Unopposed
| Conservative | Montagu Bertie | Unopposed
Registered electors | 5,384  |  |
| Conservative hold
| Conservative hold
| Conservative hold

#### Elections in the 1850s

[edit]

* Seat vacated on the appointment of Henley as President of the Board of Trade

By-election 10 March 1852: Oxfordshire[13] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | J. W. Henley | Unopposed
| Conservative hold
General election 1852: Oxfordshire (3 seats)[13] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | J. W. Henley | 2,328  | 35.6  | N/A
| Conservative | John North | 2,218  | 33.9  | N/A
| Conservative | George Harcourt | 1,313  | 20.1  | N/A
| Conservative | Montagu Bertie | 681  | 10.4  | N/A
Majority  | 632  | 9.7  | N/A
Turnout | 2,180 (est)  | 41.9 (est)  | N/A
Registered electors | 5,198  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | N/A |
| Conservative hold | Swing | N/A |
| Conservative hold | Swing | N/A |

Note (1852): The minimum possible turnout is estimated by dividing the number of votes cast by three. To the extent that electors did not use all their three possible votes the figure given will be an underestimate of the true turnout

General election 1857: Oxfordshire (3 seats)[13] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Peelite | George Harcourt | Unopposed
| Conservative | J. W. Henley | Unopposed
| Conservative | John North | Unopposed
Registered electors | 5,119  |  |
| Peelite gain from Conservative
| Conservative hold
| Conservative hold

* Seat vacated on the appointment of Henley as President of the Board of Trade

By-election 6 March 1858: Oxfordshire[13] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | J. W. Henley | Unopposed
| Conservative hold
General election 1859: Oxfordshire (3 seats)[13] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | George Harcourt | Unopposed
| Conservative | J. W. Henley | Unopposed
| Conservative | John North | Unopposed
Registered electors | 5,123  |  |
| Liberal hold
| Conservative hold
| Conservative hold

#### Elections in the 1860s

[edit]

* Death of Harcourt

By-election 3 February 1862: Oxfordshire[13] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | John Fane | 1,909  | 52.6  | N/A
| Liberal | Henry Dashwood, 5th Baronet  | 1,722  | 47.4  | N/A
Majority  | 187  | 5.2  | N/A
Turnout | 3,631  | 72.5  | N/A
Registered electors | 5,010  |  |
| Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | N/A |
General election 1865: Oxfordshire (3 seats)[13] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | John Fane | Unopposed
| Conservative | J. W. Henley | Unopposed
| Conservative | John North | Unopposed
Registered electors | 5,798  |  |
| Conservative hold
| Conservative hold
| Conservative gain from Liberal

* The Reform Act 1867 expanded the electorate and introduced the limited vote for three seat constituencies (reducing the maximum number of votes per elector from three to two).

General election 1868: Oxfordshire (3 seats)[13] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | William Cornwallis Cartwright | Unopposed
| Conservative | J. W. Henley | Unopposed
| Conservative | John North | Unopposed
Registered electors | 7,663  |  |
| Liberal gain from Conservative
| Conservative hold
| Conservative hold

#### Elections in the 1870s

[edit]

General election 1874: Oxfordshire (3 seats)[13] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | William Cornwallis Cartwright | Unopposed
| Conservative | J. W. Henley | Unopposed
| Conservative | John North | Unopposed
Registered electors | 7,554  |  |
| Liberal hold
| Conservative hold
| Conservative hold

* Seat vacated on the resignation of Henley

By-election 5 February 1878: Oxfordshire[13] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Edward Vernon Harcourt | Unopposed
| Conservative hold

#### Elections in the 1880s

[edit]

General election 1880: Oxfordshire (3 seats)[13] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | William Cornwallis Cartwright | Unopposed
| Conservative | Edward Vernon Harcourt | Unopposed
| Conservative | John North | Unopposed
Registered electors | 7,495  |  |
| Liberal hold
| Conservative hold
| Conservative hold

* Electorate expanded by the Representation of the People Act 1884 and constituency split into single member divisions by the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, with effect from the 1885 United Kingdom general election.

## See also

[edit]

* List of former United Kingdom Parliament constituencies

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an Woodger, L. S. (1993). "Oxfordshire". In Clark, Linda; Rawcliffe, Carole; Roskell, J. S. (eds.). The House of Commons 1386–1421. The History of Parliament Trust.
2. ^ a b "A History of the County of Oxford: Volume 7: Dorchester and Thame hundreds". British History Online. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
3. ^ HoP biog
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "History of Parliament". Retrieved 10 September 2011.
5. ^ a b c "Pollard, John" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "History of Parliament". Retrieved 10 September 2011.
7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Stooks Smith, Henry (1845). The Parliaments of England, from 1st George I., to the Present Time. Vol II: Oxfordshire to Wales Inclusive. London: Simpkin, Marshall, & Co. pp. 1–3. Retrieved 27 May 2019 - via Google Books.
8. ^ a b c Mosse, Richard Bartholomew (1836). The Parliamentary Guide: a concise history of the Members of both Houses, etc. pp. 129, 181. Retrieved 27 May 2019 - via Google Books.
9. ^ "Election Intelligence". Wells Journal. 28 March 1857. p. 2. Retrieved 12 August 2018 - via British Newspaper Archive.
10. ^ Gardiner, A. G. (1923). The Life of Sir William Harcourt: Volume I (1827–1886). London: Constable & Company. p. 12. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
11. ^ "Constituencies and Candidates". Liverpool Mercury. 25 March 1857. p. 3. Retrieved 12 August 2018 - via British Newspaper Archive.
12. ^ a b Fisher, David R. "Oxfordshire". The History of Parliament. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Craig, F. W. S., ed. (1977). British Parliamentary Election Results 1832–1885 (e-book) (1st ed.). London: Macmillan Press. pp. 442–443. ISBN 978-1-349-02349-3.

## References

[edit]

* Boundaries of Parliamentary Constituencies 1885–1972, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (Parliamentary Reference Publications 1972)
* British Parliamentary Election Results 1832–1885, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (Macmillan Press 1977)
* The House of Commons 1754–1790, by Sir Lewis Namier and John Brooke (HMSO 1964)
* The Parliaments of England by Henry Stooks Smith (1st edition published in three volumes 1844–50), second edition edited (in one volume) by F.W.S. Craig (Political Reference Publications 1973)) out of copyright
* Who's Who of British Members of Parliament: Volume I 1832–1885, edited by M. Stenton (The Harvester Press 1976)
* Who's Who of British Members of Parliament, Volume II 1886–1918, edited by M. Stenton and S. Lees (Harvester Press 1978)
* Concise Dictionary of National Biography (1930)
* List of members nominated for Parliament of 1653 at British History Online
* D Brunton & D H Pennington, Members of the Long Parliament (London: George Allen & Unwin, 1954)
* John Cannon, Parliamentary Reform 1640–1832 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1972)
* Cobbett's Parliamentary history of England, from the Norman Conquest in 1066 to the year 1803 (London: Thomas Hansard, 1808) [1]
* Maija Jansson (ed.), Proceedings in Parliament, 1614 (House of Commons) (Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society, 1988) [2]
* J. E. Neale, The Elizabethan House of Commons (London: Jonathan Cape, 1949)

## Sources

[edit]

* Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "O"

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The City of Oxford

* Oxfordshire
* County Council elections
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* Oxford East Borough Constituency
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Wards, suburbs,
neighbourhoods
and districts|

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Civil parishes|

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Former district
and borough|

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Former
constituencies|

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The District of Cherwell

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* Banbury County Constituency
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Towns|

* Banbury
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Large villages|

* Adderbury
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Other civil parishes
(component villages
and hamlets)|

* Ardley (Fewcott)
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* Barford St. John)
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* Clattercote)
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* Murcott)
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* Water Eaton)
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* Hampton Poyle)
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* Tusmore)
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* Merton
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* Mollington
* Newton Purcell with Shelswell (Newton Purcell
* Shelswell)
* Noke
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* Oddington
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* Shenington with Alkerton (Shenington
* Alkerton)
* Shipton-on-Cherwell and Thrupp (Shipton-on-Cherwell
* Thrupp)
* Shutford
* Sibford Ferris
* Sibford Gower (Burdrop)
* Somerton
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* Stratton Audley
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* Tadmarton
* Wardington (Lower Wardington
* Upper Wardington)
* Wendlebury
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* Wigginton
* Wroxton (Balscote)

Former districts
and boroughs|

* Municipal Borough of Banbury
* Banbury Rural District
* Bicester Urban District
* Ploughley Rural District
* Bicester Rural District

Former
constituencies|

* Oxfordshire County Constituency
* Mid Oxfordshire or Woodstock County Constituency
* Mid Oxfordshire County Constituency

* List of parliamentary constituencies in Oxfordshire
* List of places in Oxfordshire
* List of civil parishes in Oxfordshire

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South Oxfordshire

* Oxfordshire
* County Council elections
* District Council elections
* Didcot and Wantage County Constituency
* Henley and Thame County Constituency

Towns|

* Didcot
* Henley-on-Thames
* Thame (Moreton)
* Wallingford
* Watlington (Christmas Common, Northend)

Large villages|

* Benson (Preston Crowmarsh)
* Berinsfield
* Brightwell-cum-Sotwell (Brightwell, Mackney, Sotwell)
* Chalgrove
* Chinnor (Emmington, Henton, Oakley)
* Cholsey (Winterbrook)
* Crowmarsh (Crowmarsh Gifford, North Stoke, Mongewell, Newnham Murren)
* Ewelme
* Garsington
* Goring-on-Thames
* Great Milton
* Horspath (Bullingdon Green)
* Sandford-on-Thames
* Shiplake (Lower Shiplake)
* Sonning Common
* Wheatley (Littleworth)
* Woodcote

Other civil parishes
(component villages
and hamlets)|

* Adwell
* Aston Rowant
* Aston Tirrold
* Aston Upthorpe
* Beckley and Stowood (Beckley, Stowood)
* Berrick Salome (Berrick Prior, Roke, Rokemarsh)
* Binfield Heath
* Bix and Assendon (Bix, Bix Bottom, Lower Assendon, Middle Assendon)
* Brightwell Baldwin
* Britwell Salome
* Checkendon
* Clifton Hampden (Burcot)
* Crowell
* Cuddesdon and Denton (Cuddesdon, Denton)
* Culham
* Cuxham with Easington (Cuxham, Easington)
* Dorchester
* Drayton St. Leonard
* East Hagbourne (Coscote)
* Elsfield
* Eye and Dunsden (Sonning Eye, Dunsden Green, Playhatch)
* Forest Hill with Shotover (Forest Hill, Shotover)
* Goring Heath (Whitchurch Hill, Cray's Pond)
* Great Haseley (Latchford, Little Haseley, North Weston, Rycote)
* Harpsden
* Highmoor (Satwell)
* Holton
* Ipsden
* Kidmore End (Gallowstree Common)
* Lewknor (Postcombe, South Weston)
* Little Milton
* Little Wittenham
* Long Wittenham
* Mapledurham (Trench Green, Chazey Heath)
* Marsh Baldon (Little Baldon)
* Moulsford
* Nettlebed
* Newington (Great Holcombe)
* North Moreton
* Nuffield
* Nuneham Courtenay
* Pishill with Stonor (Pishill, Stonor, Maidensgrove, Russell's Water)
* Pyrton (Clare, Standhill)
* Rotherfield Greys
* Rotherfield Peppard
* Shirburn
* South Moreton (Fulscot)
* South Stoke (Littlestoke)
* Stadhampton (Chiselhampton, Ascott, Brookhampton)
* Stanton St. John (Woodperry)
* Stoke Row
* Stoke Talmage
* Swyncombe
* Sydenham (Kingston Stert)
* Tetsworth
* Tiddington-with-Albury (Tiddington, Albury)
* Toot Baldon (Baldon Row)
* Towersey
* Warborough (Shillingford)
* Waterperry with Thomley (Waterperry, Thomley)
* Waterstock
* West Hagbourne
* Wheatfield
* Whitchurch-on-Thames
* Wilcote
* Woodeaton

Former districts
and boroughs|

* Bullingdon Rural District
* Municipal Borough of Henley-on-Thames
* Henley Rural District
* Thame Urban District
* Municipal Borough of Wallingford
* Wallingford Rural District
* Crowmarsh Rural District
* Culham Rural District
* Goring Rural District
* Headington Rural District
* Thame Rural District

Former
constituencies|

* Oxfordshire County Constituency
* Wallingford Borough Constituency
* Abingdon Borough Constituency
* Berkshire North or Abingdon County Constituency
* Abingdon County Constituency
* Henley County Constituency
* Wantage County Constituency

* List of parliamentary constituencies in Oxfordshire
* List of places in Oxfordshire
* List of civil parishes in Oxfordshire

* v
* t
* e

The District of the Vale of White Horse

* Oxfordshire
* County Council elections
* District Council elections
* Didcot and Wantage County Constituency
* Oxford West and Abingdon County Constituency
* Witney County Constituency

Towns|

* Abingdon-on-Thames
* Caldecott
* Faringdon
* Wantage
* Belmont

Large villages|

* Blewbury
* Cumnor
* Chilswell
* Cumnor Hill
* Dean Court
* Farmoor
* Swinford
* Drayton
* East Challow
* East Hendred
* Grove
* Harwell
* Kennington
* Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor
* Kingston Bagpuize
* Southmoor
* Marcham
* Cothill
* Milton
* North Hinksey
* Botley
* Harcourt Hill
* Radley
* St. Helen Without
* Dry Sandford
* Shippon
* Shrivenham
* Stanford in the Vale
* Bow
* Steventon
* Sunningwell
* Bayworth
* Boars Hill
* Foxcombe Hill
* Sutton Courtenay
* Watchfield
* Wootton
* Boars Hill
* Henwood
* Lamborough Hill

Other civil parishes
(component villages
and hamlets)|

* Appleford-on-Thames
* Appleton-with-Eaton
* Appleton
* Eaton
* Ardington and Lockinge
* Ardington
* Ardington Wick
* East Lockinge
* West Lockinge
* West Ginge
* Ashbury
* Idstone
* Kingstone Winslow
* Baulking
* Besselsleigh
* Bourton
* Buckland
* Gainfield
* Buscot
* Charney Bassett
* Childrey
* Chilton
* Coleshill
* Compton Beauchamp
* Knighton
* Denchworth
* East Hanney
* Eaton Hastings
* Fernham
* Frilford
* Fyfield and Tubney
* Fyfield
* Tubney
* Netherton
* Garford
* Goosey
* Great Coxwell
* Hatford
* Little Hatford
* Hinton Waldrist
* Duxford
* Kingston Lisle
* Letcombe Bassett
* Letcombe Regis
* Little Coxwell
* Littleworth
* Longcot
* Longworth
* Lyford
* Pusey
* Shellingford
* South Hinksey
* Hinksey Hill
* Sparsholt
* Uffington
* Upton
* West Challow
* West Hanney
* West Hendred
* East Ginge
* Western Valley
* Woolstone
* Wytham
* Seacourt

Former districts
and boroughs|

* Municipal Borough of Abingdon
* Abingdon Rural District
* Faringdon Rural District
* Wantage Urban District
* Wantage Rural District

Former
constituencies|

* Oxfordshire County Constituency
* Abingdon Borough Constituency
* Berkshire North or Abingdon County Constituency
* Abingdon County Constituency
* Wantage County Constituency

* List of parliamentary constituencies in Oxfordshire
* List of places in Oxfordshire
* List of civil parishes in Oxfordshire

* v
* t
* e

The District of West Oxfordshire

* Oxfordshire
* County Council elections
* District Council elections
* Banbury County Constituency
* Bicester and Woodstock County Constituency
* Witney County Constituency

Towns|

* Burford
* Signet
* Upton
* Carterton
* Charlbury
* Chipping Norton
* Southcombe
* Witney
* Cogges
* Madley Park
* Woodstock

Large villages|

* Aston, Cote, Shifford and Chimney
* Aston
* Cote
* Shifford
* Chimney
* Bampton
* Lower Haddon
* Weald
* Brize Norton
* Ducklington
* Enstone
* Church Enstone
* Neat Enstone
* Chalford
* Cleveley
* Fulwell
* Gagingwell
* Lidstone
* Radford
* Eynsham
* Barnard Gate
* Freeland
* Hailey
* New Yatt
* Hanborough
* Church Hanborough
* Long Hanborough
* Milton-under-Wychwood
* Minster Lovell
* North Leigh
* East End
* Wilcote
* Shipton-under-Wychwood
* Standlake
* Brighthampton
* Steeple Barton
* Middle Barton
* Stonesfield

Other civil parishes
(component villages
and hamlets)|

* Alvescot
* Ascott-under-Wychwood
* Ascott d'Oyley
* Ascott Earl
* Asthall
* Asthall Leigh
* Worsham
* Black Bourton
* Bladon
* Blenheim
* Broadwell
* Bruern
* Cassington
* Worton
* Chadlington
* Chastleton
* Chilson
* Shorthampton
* Churchill
* Clanfield
* Combe
* Cornbury and Wychwood
* Cornbury
* Wychwood
* Cornwell
* Crawley
* Curbridge
* Fawler
* Fifield
* Filkins and Broughton Poggs
* Filkins
* Broughton Poggs
* Finstock
* Fulbrook
* Glympton
* Grafton and Radcot
* Grafton
* Radcot
* Great Tew
* Hardwick-with-Yelford
* Hardwick
* Yelford
* Heythrop
* Dunthrop
* Holwell
* Idbury
* Bould
* Foscot
* Kelmscott
* Kencot
* Kiddington with Asterleigh
* Asterleigh
* Kiddington
* Over Kiddington
* Kingham
* Langford
* Leafield
* Lew
* Little Faringdon
* Little Tew
* Lyneham
* Northmoor
* Over Norton
* Ramsden
* Mount Skippett
* Rollright
* Great Rollright
* Little Rollright
* Rousham
* Salford
* Sandford St. Martin
* Ledwell
* Sarsden
* Shilton
* South Leigh
* Spelsbury
* Dean
* Taston
* Stanton Harcourt
* Swerford
* Swinbrook and Widford
* Swinbrook
* Widford
* Tackley
* Taynton
* Westcott Barton
* Westwell
* Wootton
* Dornford
* Hordley
* Worton
* Nether Worton
* Over Worton

Former districts
and boroughs|

* Chipping Norton Rural District
* Municipal Borough of Chipping Norton
* Witney Urban District
* Witney Rural District
* Municipal Borough of Woodstock
* Woodstock Rural District

Former
constituencies|

* Oxfordshire County Constituency
* Woodstock Borough Constituency
* Mid Oxfordshire or Woodstock County Constituency
* Henley County Constituency
* Mid Oxfordshire County Constituency

* List of parliamentary constituencies in Oxfordshire
* List of places in Oxfordshire
* List of civil parishes in Oxfordshire

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States
* Israel

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