Edward Buxton (conservationist)
Edward North Buxton was a British conservationist and Liberal Party politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1885 to 1886. He was also an alpine climber, with significant first or second ascents in the 1860s, including the Aiguille de Bionnassay, Piz Palu and the first traverse of Lyskamm.
Buxton was the third son of Sir Edward North Buxton, 2nd Baronet, and his wife, Catherine Gurney. Both father and son were called "Edward North Buxton" and both became Members of Parliament. Buxton was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. He was a partner in the London brewing firm of Truman, Hanbury, & Co. and a J.P. and a Deputy Lieutenant for Essex.
Buxton stood for parliament unsuccessfully at South Essex in 1880. In 1885, he was elected MP for the Walthamstow constituency as a Liberal: he made six contributions during his year as an MP. Buxton was an advocate of the provision of open, accessible land, particularly near cities. He and his brother Thomas played a major part in saving Epping Forest and Hainault Forests for public use. He was a verderer of Hatfield Forest, which he purchased for the National Trust from his deathbed. He was a founding member of the Society for the Preservation of the Wild Fauna of the Empire, now Fauna and Flora International.
In 1862, Buxton married Emily Digby, the daughter of the Rev. the Hon. Kenelm Henry Digby, Rector of Tittleshall and Hon. Canon of Norwich, and sister of Sir Kenelm Digby.
Buxton died at the age of 83. His home, Leytonstone House, carries a blue plaque. He is also commemorated by an inscription in the council chamber of Essex County Council.
