Edward Vernon Harcourt

Who was Edward Vernon Harcourt?

Edward William Vernon Harcourt was an English naturalist and Conservative politician.

Harcourt was born in Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, the son of the Rev. William Vernon Harcourt who was a scientist, and grandson of Edward Harcourt, Archbishop of York. He was educated at Christ Church, Oxford.

Harcourt was a J.P. for Berkshire and Sussex, and a J.P. and Deputy Lieutenant for Oxfordshire and High Sheriff of Oxfordshire in 1875. He was Honorary Colonel of the 3rd Volunteer Brigade, Cinque Ports Division of the Royal Artillery. He was a member of Royal Commission for organizing the Volunteer Force in 1862, and was 15 years President of National Artillery Association.

He was the author of Sketch of Madeira and Sporting in Algeria.

He inherited Nuneham House and Park in 1871 and had a new Nuneham Courtenay parish church built in 1872-74.

He served as Member of Parliament for Oxfordshire from 1878 to 1885 and for Henley from 1885 to 1886.

Harcourt was married to Lady Susan Harriet Holroyd, daughter of 2nd Earl of Sheffield in 1849. His brother was the politician William Vernon Harcourt.