Edward Bootle-Wilbraham, 1st Earl of Lathom GCB PC (12 December 1837 – 19 November 1898) known as The Lord Skelmersdale between 1853 and 1880, was a British Conservative politician.

His father died when Edward was only 7 years old and he was brought up by his grandparents at nearby Lathom House.

[3] Bootle-Wilbraham succeeded his grandfather as second Baron Skelmersdale in 1853 and was entitled to take a seat in the House of Lords on his 21st birthday in 1858.

[citation needed] He once again held office under Disraeli as Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard from 1874[6] to 1880,[7] and was admitted to the Privy Council in 1874.

[16] On 16 August 1860, Lord Lathom married Lady Alice Villiers, daughter of George Villiers and the former Lady Katharine Barham (widow of John Joseph Barham, and eldest daughter of James Grimston).