Evan Richards

Evan Matthew Richards (17 November 1821 – 21 August 1880) was a Welsh Liberal politician who represented Cardiganshire in the British House of Commons from 1868 until his defeat at the general election of 1874. Early life and career Richards was born in Swansea on 17 November 1821, the son of Richard and Catherine Richards (formerly Thomas). On 11 July 1844 he was married in Birmingham to Maria Sloane, a native of Northamptonshire. They had six sons and one daughter between 1845 and 1862. The eldest children were born in Birmingham but during the 1850s the family returned to Swansea. Political career 1868 election Richards was elected to represent Cardiganshire at the 1868 general election, a contest noted for allegations of landlord coercion. His success in defeating John Vaughan, the Conservative candidate was alluded to the influence of the Pryse family of Gogerddan, leading landowners in the county. He also distanced himself from the Liberation Society which had sponsored the candidacy of Henry Richard in 1865.