It was created under the Great Reform Act for the 1832 general election, when the existing Sussex constituency was divided into two.

It consisted of the rapes of Lewes, Pevensey and Hastings, an area broadly similar to but not identical with the modern county of East Sussex.

(Lewes and Rye also absorbed the voters from the abolished boroughs of the same names.)

[1] Darby resigned after being appointed a Commissioner of Inclosures, causing a by-election.

Frewen resigned by accepting the office of Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds, causing a by-election.