UK Elections Info

Data Last Updated: 7 August 2025
Application Last Amended: 20 July 2024
This website is considered to be an archive in the public interest.

Born: 21 May 1818, Chunar, Bengal

Died: 29 May 1898

1st Baron Playfair - 5 September 1892

Knighted - 9 April 1883

Member of Privy Council - 12 December 1873

son of George Playfair

son of Janet Ross

husband of Margaret Eliza Oakes

husband of Jean Ann Millington

husband of Edith Russell

St Andrew's University

Andersonian Institute, Glasgow

Edinburgh University

Professor

Doctor -

Scientist

Postmaster-General	18 November 1873	17 February 1874
Chairman of Ways and Means and Deputy Speaker	1880	1883
Vice President of the Council of Education	13 February 1886	20 July 1886
Lord in Waiting	1892	1895

5 December 1868	Edinburgh & St Andrews Universities	Liberal Party	2,322	52.90
18 November 1873 Resignation of Prof Lyon Playfair on appointment as Postmaster-General.
4 December 1873	Edinburgh & St Andrews Universities	Liberal Party	Unopposed
31 January 1874	Edinburgh & St Andrews Universities	Liberal Party	Unopposed
16 April 1880	Edinburgh & St Andrews Universities	Liberal Party	2,522	50.74
25 November 1885	Leeds South	Liberal Party	5,208	64.48
5 February 1886 Appointment of Rt Hon Sir Lyon Playfair as the Vice-President of the Commission of Council on Education.
12 February 1886	Leeds South	Liberal Party	Unopposed
2 July 1886	Leeds South	Liberal Party	4,665	61.47
7 July 1892	Leeds South	Liberal Party	4,829	59.45
5 September 1892 Elevation of Rt Hon Sir Lyon Playfair to the Peerage - Baron Playfair.