John Delaware Lewis

Who was John Delaware Lewis?

John Delaware Lewis was an English Liberal Party politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1868 to 1874.

Lewis was born in St Petersburg, the son of John D. Lewis of Cornwall Terrace, Regent's Park, a Russian merchant, and his wife Eliza Emma Clewlow, daughter of James Hamilton Clewlow R.N. He was educated at Eton College and at Trinity College, Cambridge graduating BA in 1850 and MA in 1853. He was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1858 and went on the south-eastern circuit. He was a J.P. for Devon and Hampshire, and an officer in the Royal Pembroke Artillery Militia. He spent much time at Arcachon in France and was author of Sketches of Cantabs, Across the Atlantic, Causes Célèbres, and various other works in English and French.

At the 1868 general election Lewis was elected as a Member of Parliament for Devonport. He held the seat until his defeat at the 1874 general election, and unsuccessfully contested the seat again in 1880.

Lewis died at Westbury House, Petersfield, Hampshire, at the age of 56.

Lewis married in 1868, Teresa Jervoise, daughter of Sir Jervoise Clarke-Jervoise, 2nd Baronet MP for South Hampshire.

Lewis' ancestors settled in the State of Delaware in the 17th century.