Charles Langdale

Charles Langdale (formerly Stourton); 19 September 1787 – 1 December 1868) was a British politician and biographer. He served as Whig Member of Parliament, wrote the memoirs of Maria Fitzherbert, and was a leading Roman Catholic figure during the 19th century. Origins Langdale was born Hon. Charles Stourton in 1787, the fourth son of Charles Stourton, 17th Baron Stourton by his wife Mary Langdale, a daughter and co-heiress of Marmaduke Langdale, 5th Baron Langdale (1771–1777). He became the heir of his mother's cousin Philip Langdale (d.1815) of Houghton Hall, East Riding of Yorkshire, who died with no sons, and to comply with the terms of his inheritance he adopted the surname Langdale by royal licence dated 1815, for himself and his descendants. Education He was educated at Oscott College and Stonyhurst College. Politics and public life Langdale campaigned for Catholic Emancipation, and after the passing of the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829 he became Member of Parliament for Beverley following the 1832 general election, becoming one of the first Catholics in the House of Commons. He represented Beverley until 1835, and represented Knaresborough between 1837 and 1841.