Edward Leighton (died 1593)

Sir Edward Leighton (c. 1525 – 10 September 1593) was an English politician, and a leading political figure in Shropshire in the late sixteenth century.

He was the eldest son of John Leighton of Wattlesborough Castle, Shropshire, and Joyce, daughter of Edward Sutton, 2nd Baron Dudley and Cecily Willoughby.

His mother remarried before 1538 Richard Lee, MP for Much Wenlock, who was his stepson's guardian.

He was the dominant political figure in Shropshire in the 1580s, and showed great diligence in overseeing the trained bands.

He married twice: firstly Elizabeth (née Edwards), the widow of a Mr. Meverell, and secondly Anne, the daughter of Paul Darrell of Lillingstone Dayrell, Buckinghamshire, with whom he had 4 sons and 3 daughters, including Thomas Leighton (died 1600), his eldest son and heir.