Edward FitzRoy

Captain The Hon. Edward Algernon FitzRoy, DL (24 July 1869–3 March 1943) was a Conservative politician who served as Speaker of the British House of Commons from 1928 until his death.

FitzRoy was the second son of the 3rd Baron Southampton. As a boy, He served as a Page of Honour to Queen Victoria.

A member of Northamptonshire County Council from 1896 to 1921, FitzRoy first entered Parliament in 1900 as Member of Parliament for Northamptonshire South. During World War I, whilst still an MP, he served in the military as a Captain of the 1st Regiment of Life Guards, was injured at the First Battle of Ypres and commanded the mounted troops of the Guards Division from 1915-16. In 1918, he was elected for the seat of Daventry. Prior to his election as Speaker, he served as Deputy Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, briefly during 1923 and from 1924-28. In 1931, he was awarded an Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Cambridge and an honorary Doctor of Civil Law degree from the University of Oxford in 1934. In 1935, there was considerable controversy when the Labour Party decided to stand a candidate against him in the general election.

FitzRoy's widow Muriel (whom he had married on 19 November 1891) was given a Viscountcy (the customary retirement honour for Speakers) as Viscountess Daventry, and the title is still extant.

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