Shrewsbury was a parliamentary constituency in England, centred on the town of Shrewsbury in Shropshire. It was founded in 1290 as parliamentary borough, returning two members to the House of Commons of England until 1707, then of the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800, and of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1885. Under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, its representation was reduced to one Member of Parliament (MP). The parliamentary borough was abolished at with effect from the 1918 general election, and the name transferred to a new county constituency. The constituency was renamed Shrewsbury and Atcham, but continued with the exact same boundaries as had been in effect from 1974-1983. Famous MPs have included Sir Philip Sidney in 1581, Robert Clive (known as 'Clive of India') from 1761 to his death in 1774, and Benjamin Disraeli (later Prime Minister) in 1841–47. Boundaries 1918–1950: The Borough of Shrewsbury, and the Rural Districts of Atcham and Chirbury. 1950–1974: The Borough of Shrewsbury, and the Rural District of Atcham. 1974–1983: As prior but with redrawn boundaries. History By the mid eighteenth century Shrewsbury was known as an independent constituency. The right of election was vested in resident burgesses paying scot and lot. By 1722 the number of voters exceeded 1300 but Parliament sharply reduced the number by excluding parts of Shrewsbury from the parliamentary borough. Members of Parliament Borough of Shrewsbury Constituency created (1290) MPs 1290–1660 MPs 1660–1885 MPs 1885–1918 Shrewsbury division of Shropshire MPs 1918–1983 Election results Elections in the 1830s Elections in the 1840s Elections in the 1850s Elections in the 1860s Slaney's death caused a by-election. Elections in the 1870s Clement's death caused a by-election. Elections in the 1880s Cotes was appointed a Lord Commissioner of the Treasury, requiring a by-election. Representation reduced to one Member Elections in the 1890s Elections in the 1900s Elections in the 1910s General Election 1914–15: Another General Election was required to take place before the end of 1915. The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place and by July 1914, the following candidates had been selected; Unionist: George Lloyd Liberal: Elections in the 1920s Elections in the 1930s Elections in the 1940s General Election 1939–40: Another General Election was required to take place before the end of 1940. The political parties had been making preparations for an