Maxwell Charles Close (25 June 1827 - 25 January 1903) was an Irish Conservative politician who sat in the House of Commons in two periods between 1857 and 1885.

Maxwell Close
Member of Parliament
for County Armagh
In office
1857–1864
Serving with Sir William Verner, Bt
Preceded byJames Caulfeild
Sir William Verner, Bt
Succeeded bySir James Stronge, Bt
Sir William Verner, Bt
Member of Parliament
for County Armagh
In office
1874–1885
Serving with Edward Wingfield Verner to 1880
James Nicholson Richardson from 1880
Preceded by

Close was the eldest son of Colonel Maxwell Close of Drumbanagher and his wife Anna Elizabeth Brownlow, sister of Charles Brownlow, 1st Baron Lurgan. His father built Drumbanagher House, which he inherited, along with a large estate in County Armagh.[1] He was educated at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford. He was a J. P. and a Deputy Lieutenant for County Armagh and was High Sheriff of Armagh in 1854.[2]

At the 1857 general election Close was elected Member of Parliament for Armagh and held the seat until 1864. He was re-elected in 1874 and held the seat until 1885.[3]

Close died at the age of 75.

Close married in 1852 Catherine Deborah Agnes Close, daughter of Henry S. Close of Newtown Park, Dublin.[2] There were five children. His estate was inherited by their son Major Maxwell Archibald Close (1853–1935), an officer in the 13th Hussars, who married Lady Muriel Albany Stuart-Richardson (1869–1928), daughter of the 5th Earl Castle Stewart.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Obituary". The Times. No. 36988. London. 27 January 1903. p. 7.
  2. ^ a b Debretts House of Commons and the Judicial Bench 1881
  3. ^ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "A" (part 2)
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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for County Armagh
18571864
With: Sir William Verner, Bt
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament for County Armagh
18741885
With: Edward Wingfield Verner to 1880
James Nicholson Richardson from 1880
constituency divided