John Elwes

Politician

Birthday April 7, 1714

Birth Sign Aries

Birthplace England

DEATH DATE Nov 26, 1789 (75)

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About

Member of Parliament for Berkshire from 1772 to 1784. He was a noted miser and who might have been the real-life inspiration for Ebenezer Scrooge.

Before Fame

He was born into a wealthy, but also reportedly miserly family.

Trivia

To avoid spending money he wore cast-off clothes, ate spoiled food, let his great mansion fall into disrepair, etc.

Family Life

One of his distant progeny is the British actor Cary Elwes.

Associated With

His legendary stinginess is said to have formed the basis for Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."