Beach , Sir , Michael Edward Hicks , 1837-1916 , 1st Earl St Aldwyn , politician x Hicks Beach , Sir , Michael Edward

Michael Edward Hicks Beach was born in London in 1837. He was educated at Eton and at Christ Church, Oxford. He succeeded his father as 9th baronet in 1854. Sir Michael entered parliament as Conservative MP for East Gloucestershire (1864-1885) and subsequently served as MP for Bristol West (1885-1904). He held several cabinet posts, including Chancellor of the Exchequer (1885-1886, 1895-1904). Hicks Beach was made a viscount in 1906 and Earl St Aldwyn in 1915, the year before his death.