The constituency was created by the Reform Act 1832 for the 1832 general election, and abolished by the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 for the 1885 general election.

They were replaced by eight new single-member constituencies: Ashford, Dartford, Faversham, Isle of Thanet, Medway, St Augustine's, Sevenoaks and Tunbridge.

Marsham succeeded to the peerage, becoming 3rd Earl of Romney and causing a by-election.

Talbot resigned in order to contest the 1878 Oxford University by-election.

Legge was appointed Vice-Chamberlain of the Household, requiring a by-election.