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Edward Littleton

1653 – 1704

British administrator of the East India Company

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About Edward Littleton

Lived 1653 – 1704 (aged 50–51). Edward Littleton was an English politician and businessperson.

Sir Edward Littleton (died 1705) was an administrator of the English East India Company. He served as President of Bengal in the early eighteenth century.

Littleton was the eldest son of Sir Edward Littleton, 2nd Baronet. He studied at The Queen's College, Oxford, and in 1671 married Susannah, daughter of Sir Theophilus Biddulph. From 1685 until 1689, he sat as Member of Parliament (MP) for Staffordshire.

Littleton was expelled from the East India Company in 1682. Later he was a founding director of the New East India Company, and was sent out to Bengal to act as president in its interest. He was knighted early in 1699. Later in that year he was at Calcutta, opposing John Beard of the old Company in Indian matters. It was some years before the two companies were amalgamated.

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Important facts

Born
1653
Birth century
Nationality
Education
The Queen's College
Positions held
Member of Parliament in the Parliament of England, Member of the 1685-87 Parliament, High Sheriff of Staffordshire
Also known as
Sir Edward Littleton

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Edward Littleton's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Edward Littleton?

British administrator of the East India Company

When was Edward Littleton born?

Edward Littleton was born in 1653.

When did Edward Littleton die?

Edward Littleton died on 24 January 1704.

What was Edward Littleton's occupation?

Edward Littleton was a politician and businessperson.

What nationality was Edward Littleton?

Edward Littleton was English.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Edward Littleton

· Wikidata: Q5344163

· DBpedia: Edward Littleton (colonial administrator)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Edward Littleton. https://biography.guide/edward-littleton/

MLA: "Edward Littleton." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/edward-littleton/.

Chicago: "Edward Littleton." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/edward-littleton/.

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