Colonel Francis Marcus Beresford (August 1818 – 1 August 1890)[1] was a British Conservative Party politician
He was born at Aylestone, Leicestershire, the fourth son of Rev Gilbert Beresford and his wife Anne.[2] He was educated at King's College School, and went into business as a wharfinger.[2]
During the invasion scare of 1859, Beresford raised the 7th (Southwark) Surrey Rifle Volunteer Corps in December and commanded it with the rank of Captain-Commandant.[3][4][5] By February 1860 the unit had six companies, and Beresford was promoted to Major-Commandant.[5][6] He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on 19 November 1864.[7] After his retirement from the command, he was appointed the honorary colonel of the battalion (later the 4th Volunteer Battalion, East Surrey Regiment) on 25 January 1873.[8]
He was elected at a by-election in February 1870 as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Southwark.[9] He was re-elected in 1874, and held the seat until he stood down at the 1880 general election.[9]
He married twice. Firstly, Elizabeth Green, the daughter of George Green, on 20 September 1848 at St. Oswald Parish Church, Durham. They had six children. Secondly, Eleanor Richardson on 2 June 1881 at St. George, Hanover Square, London. His daughter Selina (1859–1938) married Sir Hay Frederick Donaldson, the son of Sir Stuart Donaldson.
He died on 1 August 1890 at Cliftonthorpe, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, and is buried in Brompton Cemetery, London.[citation needed]