[William Lehman Ashmead-Bartlett]. English politician, born in New Brunswick, NJ, in 1851. Soon after his father’s death he removed with his mother to England, where he was educated; was graduated from Christ’s Church, Oxford. Through the friendship of the Baroness Burdett-Coutts to his mother, he was made the protégé of the former, and became her private secretary, in which capacity he soon developed ability in the administration of the immense charities distributed by the Baroness. The latter, believing that the interests of her philanthropic projects would be materially benefited, accepted in marriage her devoted secretary, the ceremony taking place February 12, 1881, her ladyship thereby forfeiting a considerable part of her fortune. Mr. Ashmead-Bartlett entered Parliament, and was re-elected with increased majorities for the Westminster district of London in 1886 and 1892, and was returned, unopposed, at the general election in 1895. He is a supporter of the Conservative party. By royal license he assumed the name of Burdett-Coutts in addition to his own.
