The constituency was created when the two-member West Riding of Yorkshire constituency was divided for the 1865 general election by the Birkenhead Enfranchisement Act 1861 into two new constituencies, each returning two members: Northern West Riding of Yorkshire and Southern West Riding of Yorkshire.
The constituency was formed when the two-member West Riding of Yorkshire electoral district was split into two new constituencies, each electing two members: Northern West Riding of Yorkshire and Southern West Riding of Yorkshire, by the Birkenhead Enfranchisement Act 1861 for the 1865 general election.