Edward Lavender Moulton

Edward Lavender Moulton (11 March 1836 – 12 February 1914) was an English businessman and civic leader in Bedford, England, best known for serving two terms as Mayor of Bedford (1903–04 and 1908–09).

Personal life Edward Lavender Moulton was born into a farming family at Chatteris, Cambridgeshire on 11 March 1836. Son of Richard Moulton and Sarah Lavender. Which he ran in partnership with a man called Henry Pain, at 35 High Street (the former Barley Mow pub site) . The partnership was dissolved a short time later and Edward Moulton continued to run the business until 1887 when it was taken over by a man called Henry Bacchus.

Beyond the mayoralty, Moulton went on to hold several other important public posts. He was a Governor of the Harpur Trust. He also served as the second Chairman of the Bedford Education Committee. He also chaired the Corporation’s Estates Committee, overseeing municipal property.

Death In late 1913 Moulton suffered a serious stroke; although he partially recovered, he remained largely incapacitated. He died at home on 12 February 1914 at the age of 77. His will (dated 10 October 1913) was proved at the Principal Probate Registry in April 1914. Moulton was buried in Bedford

Legacy He was described by contemporaries as “a ready and forcible speaker, tenacious in his views, [and] firm and quick-witted as a chairman”