Burgin, Dr Edward Leslie MP, PC
1887-1945

WM solicitor, born on 13 July 1887. He obtained a First in both university and professional final examinations and an LLD in 1913. He became Principal and Director of Studies at the Law Society in 1925. He sponsored the Guardianship of Infants Bill (1925) which gave mothers equal right of access to their children. He was unsuccessful in several parliamentary elections; but from 1929 to his retirement in 1945 he was Liberal (from 1931 Liberal Nationalist) MP for Luton. He was Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade 1932-1937, Minister of Transport 1937-1939 and Minister of Supply 1939-1940. His special interest was international relations and he was a British Delegate to the League of Nations in 1935. His friend Frank O. Salisbury painted his portrait in 1945 and designed a memorial window in Harpenden Methodist Church, of which he was a member. He died on 16 August 1945.

Sources
  • Times, 17 Aug 1945
  • M. Stenton and S. Lees (eds.), Who's Who of British Members of Parliament, vol. 3 (1979)

Entry written by: CJS
Category: Person
Comment on this entry