Ernest Henry Alton (21 September 1873 – 18 February 1952) was an Irish university professor and an independent Teachta Dála (TD) and Senator. Born near Mullingar, County Westmeath, Alton attended The High School in Dublin. He graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 1896 with honours in classics and philosophy, having been elected a Scholar of the college in 1894. He won the Berkeley medal (in Greek) and the Wray prize (in philosophy), and was awarded a studentship (postgraduate scholarship) on his final results. He a member of Trinity College's Officer Training Corps and saw action during the 1916 Easter Rising. For helping to defend the college from the Irish Volunteers who occupied the nearby Westland Row station, he was awarded the Military Cross. He was elected to the Royal Irish Acad