Cobden, Richard, 1804-1865

Richard Cobden, English textile manufacturer and politician.

Cobden was born in Dunford, Sussex, England on June 3, 1804; became a middle-class manufacturer and MP, advocating free trade, non-intervention in foreign affairs, an end to aristocratic misrule, and a variety of radical political reforms; became interested in the Manchester Anti-Corn Law Assn. in 1838 and helped to transform it into the National Anti-Corn-Law League; the League agitated for the repeal of the Corn and Provision Laws, which was achieved in 1846 due to the famine in Ireland; elected to Parliament in 1841 and again in 1847, working for international arbitration, financial reform and arms reduction; opposed the conduct of the Crimean War; although defeated in 1857, he returned to Parliament in 1859; he negotiated reciprocal tariff reductions with France, 1860; died in London on Apr. 2, 1865.

British statesman.

English manufacturer and politician.

British statesman and economist; advocate of free trade and the limited action of government in business; supported the Union during the Civil War.

Industrialist, member of Parliament; from Manchester, England.

British statesman and economist.

English statesman and economist.

In 1857 there was a dispute between the British plenipotentiary and the governor of the Canton provinces, resulting in the English admiral destroying river forts, burning ships, and bombarding the city. Cobden reviewed official documents and brought a motion in Parliament condemning the action. The resulting debate led to the defeat of the Palmerston government and cost Cobden his seat in Parliament.

Richard Cobden was an influential British manufacturer and liberal politician, perhaps most often associated with the Anti-Corn Law League. Born in a rural family in Sussex, he finished school at fifteen and began working as a clerk and salesman. He was soon able to open his own business, turned it into a great success, and became active in politics, winning election to Parliament. His opposition to the Corn Law gradually gained widespread acceptance, establishing his reputation as a reformer and economic adviser. His career in politics continued, and he promoted peace, reform, and his economic theories.

Industrialist, member of Parliament, founder of the National Anti-Corn Law League; from Manchester, Engl.

Richard Cobden was born in Heyshott, near Midhurst, Sussex, the son of a farmer. Cobden's father was poor and was obliged to send his eleven children to various relatives. He was sent to an uncle in Yorkshire where he was mistreated. Cobden received little formal schooling and in 1819 became a clerk in the textile industry. In 1820 he became a commercial traveller. After developing a knowledge of the cotton trade he became a partner in a London calico factory. The business was a success and in 1831 he also became a partner in a Lancashire calico factory. By 1832 Cobden was living in an affluent part of Manchester. He wrote about the subject of economics in the "Manchester Examiner" and published pamphlets on free-trade (1838-1846). Between 1833 and 1837 Cobden visited France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, America, Egypt, Greece and Russia. He was a leader of the Anti-Corn Law League 1838-1846. The Corn Laws had been passed during the Napoleonic Wars (1804 and 1818) to impose duties on imported corn, and led to high bread prices. The Anti-Corn Law League succeeded in having the corn laws repealed in 1846. Cobden was MP for Stockport 1841-1847, and for the West Riding of Yorkshire 1847-1857. Cobden campaigned against the Crimean War (1854-1856), despite the public's support for the war, and Cobden subsequently lost his seat on Parliament in the General Election of 1857. In the General Election of 1859 he was elected MP for Rochdale. He was offered the post of President of the Board of Trade (1859) and a baronetcy (1860), but refused both. Cobden died of an acute attack of bronchitis on 2nd April 1865. His publications include: 'Agricultural distress: speech of R. Cobden...in the House of Commons, on Thursday, the 13th of March, 1845, on moving for a select committee to inquire into the extent and causes of the alleged existing agricultural distress, and into the effects of legislative protection upon the interest of landowners, farmers, and farm-labourers' (1845); 'Alarming distress: speech of Richd. Cobden, Esq. in the House of Commons on Friday evening, July 8, 1842' (1842); 'The corn laws: speech of R. Cobden, Esq., MP, in the House of Commons, on Thursday evening, February 24, 1842' (1842); 'England, Ireland, & America' (1835); 'How wars are got up in India: the origin of the Burmese war' (1853).

English parliamentarian.

Richard Cobden 1804-1865. British parliamentarian best known for his successful fight from 1839-1846 for the repeal of the Corn Laws and also for his defense of free trade. He entered Parliament in 1841. Cobden was one of the acknowledged leaders of the "Manchester School" which expoused free trade and an economic system free of Government interference.

Sir Joshua Jebb, 1793-1863 was Surveyor-General of convict prisons. In 1842 he was made a Commissioner for the government of Pentonville Prison (renewed in 1849). In 1850 Jebb was appointed Chairman of the Directors of Convict Prisons - a board formed to manage the different convict prisons. He received the honorary rank of Colonel in 1854 after quitting the military service since 1850.

Biography

Cobden was born in Dunford, Sussex, England on June 3, 1804; became a middle-class manufacturer and Member of Parliament, advocating free trade, non-intervention in foreign affairs, an end to aristocratic misrule, and a variety of radical political reforms; became interested in the Manchester Anti-Corn Law Association in 1838 and helped to transform it into the National Anti-Corn-Law League; the League agitated for the repeal of the Corn and Provision Laws, which was achieved in 1846 due to the famine in Ireland; elected to Parliament in 1841 and again in 1847, working for international arbitration, financial reform and arms reduction; opposed the conduct of the Crimean War; although defeated in 1857, he returned to Parliament in 1859; he negotiated reciprocal tariff reductions with France, 1860; died in London on April 2, 1865.