Background
Cunliffe was the son of Robert Ellis Cunliffe of the Bengal Civil Service.
Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom
Cunliffe was the son of Robert Ellis Cunliffe of the Bengal Civil Service.
He was educated at Eton College and joined the Scots Fusilier Guards in 1857.
He retired from the regular army in 1862 and became Lieutenant Colonel commanding the Royal Denbigh Militia. He was a Justice of the Peace and Doctor of Laws for Denbighshire and High Sheriff of Denbighshire in 1868. At the 1880 general election Cunliffe was elected Member of Parliament for Denbigh Boroughs.
He held the seat until 1885.
Cunliffe died at the age of 66. Cunliffe married Eleanor Sophia Egerton Leigh, only daughter of Major Egerton Leigh of West Hall High Leigh and Jodrell Hall, Cheshire.
Their son Foster was a cricketer and historian and died fighting in World War I.
20th United Kingdom Parliament. 22nd United Kingdom Parliament]
In 1872 Cunliffe was elected Member of Parliament for Flint Boroughs and held the seat until 1874.