Abstract: The son of the 13th Earl of Derby, was born at Knowsley Park, Lancashire in 1799. He was educated at Eton and Christ College, Oxford and entered parliament for Stockbridge in 1820. In 1841 Stanley agreed to join the Conservative government led by Robert Peel. Stanley became colonial secretary and was responsible for the Canadian Corn Bill. However, he disagreed with the policy of Sir Robert Peel to repeal the Corn Laws in Britain. Stanley now became one of the leader of the group that became known as the Protectionists. By 1868 the now Earl of Derby and Prime Minister was in poor health and was forced to retire from office and was replaced by Benjamin Disraeli. Edward Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby, died later that year.

Abstract: Eldest son of the 14th Earl of Derby, was born on the 21st July 1826. He was educated at Rugby School and Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1848 Stanley went in a tour of the West Indies, America and Canada. While he was away he was elected as the Conservative MP for King's Lynn. In 1852 the Earl of Derby became Prime Minister. He appointed his son as under secretary for foreign affairs. In 1869 his father died and he succeeded him as the 15th Earl of Derby. Benjamin Disraeli became Prime Minister in February 1874 and the Earl of Derby became Foreign Secretary. The Earl of Derby disagreed with the policy of Irish Home Rule and in 1886 joined the new Liberal Unionist Party. He led this party in the House of Lords until he retired in 1889. Edward Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby, died on 21st April, 1893.

Proposed by Earl Grey, Whig prime minister. Provided for disenfranchisement clauses for some of the rotten boroughs and more representation in the House of Commons for growing industrial towns. Defeated by the House of Lords.

Gave the vote to every male adult householder living in a borough constituency. Male lodgers paying £10 for unfurnished rooms were also granted the vote.

Absract: After the passage of the 1867 Reform Act, working class males now formed the majority in most borough constituencies. Employers were still able to use their influence in some constituencies because of the open system of voting. Employers and landlords knew how people voted and could punish them if they did not support their preferred candidate. In 1872 this intimidation was removed when the government brought in the Ballot Act which introduced a secret system of voting.

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Introduced by Gladstone and gave working class males the same voting rights as those living in the boroughs.

Parliamentary reform proposed by William Gladstone and the Liberal Party. Aimed to construct constituencies of approximately equal size.

Granted women the vote in parliamentary elections. Includes selections from speeches and excerpts from several writers.

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Employed by leaders of the Moral Force faction as a method of persuasion to convince members of the House of Commons to change the parliamentary system.

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Essayist, poet and editor. Started a political journal called the Examiner which gave support to radicals in Parliament. (1784-1859)

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Journalist. Publisher of the newspaper, the Working Man's Friend, in which he attacked the 1832 Reform Act.(1799-1874).

Journalist and publisher of radical newspaper, the Manchester Observer. Helped form the Patriotic Union Society, a group dedicated to obtain parliamentary reform. (1788-1844)

A supporter of the Moral Force Chartist movement in the 1840s.

Philosopher, legal theorist and reformer, and political radical. Argued in favor of universal suffrage, annual parliaments and vote by ballot in his book, Constitutional Code. Includes excerpts. (1748-1832)

Quaker who was elected to represent Durham in the House of Commons and campaigned for the repeal of the Corn Laws. Became one of the leading advocates for universal suffrage. (1811-1889)

Member of the Society of Spencean Philanthropists, a radical group that advocated revolution. Involved in the Cato Street Conspiracy, he was found guilty of high treason and sentenced to death.

Became the leading advocate of parliamentary reform and factory legislation in the House of Commons. Includes excerpt from his speech made on May 15, 1821. (1786-1869)

Member of the Spencean Philanthropists, a group of radicals who advocated revolution.

Worked with Henry Hetherington in the Civil and Religious Association. Started newspaper and campaigned for political reform. Campaigned for removal of the stamp duty on newspapers. (1790-1847)

Leader of the Manchester Spinners' Union. Strong opponent of child labor and advocated an eight-hour day for all workers. Favored repeal of the Combination Acts and the Corn Laws. Includes excerpts from his speeches. (1798-1854)

Founder member of the Todmorden Unitarian Society, a religious group active in the social reform movement. Leader of the reform movement in the House of Commons and campaigned for a ten-hour work day. Includes excerpts from his writings. (1784-1849)

Chartist who became a leader of the Physical Force movement. Advocated universal suffrage and prison reform. (1784-1877)

Leader of the Bill of Rights Society and later formed the Constitutional Society, to campaign for parliamentary reform. (1736-1812)

Chief Clerk at Bow Street courthouse. One of his main tasks was to recruit Home Office spies, give them their orders and to receive their reports. Their information led to the arrest several members of the Spencean Philanthropists, a group who were involved in the Spa Riots and the Cato Street Conspiracy. (1766-1837)

Wrote a large number of books on philosophy and economics. Member of the House of Commons and campaigned for parliamentary reform. (1806-1873)

Helped form the London Corresponding Society, which attacked the government's foreign policy. Lectured frequently on political reform and was active in protest meetings. (1764-1834)

Journalist who wrote several articles in favor of parliamentary reform. (1788-1875)

Elected MP for Aylesbury. Established The North Briton, a newspaper that severely attacked the king and his Prime Minister. Campaigned for religious toleration and introduced the first motion for parliamentary reform. (1725-1797)

Unitarian, publisher of radical newspaper, and political activist who supported parliamentary reform and universal suffrage. (1761-1841)

Became involved in the campaign for parliamentary reform. Joined the London Corresponding Society and wrote the pamphlet A Convention is the Only Means of Saving Us from Ruin. (1763-1796)

Represented Tory party in House of Commons and later became a Whig. Considered the leader of the movement for universal suffrage. Advocated the setting up of savings banks, the abolition of flogging in the army and an end to imprisonment for debt. (1777-1855)

Strong supporter of universal suffrage and annual parliaments. One of the founders of the Patriotic Union Society whose main objective was to obtain parliamentary reform. (1791-1872)

Clergyman and moderate reformer who advanced liberal political and religious thought in 18th century England. (1733-1804)

Established the Ashton Chronicle, a newspaper that advocated radical social reform. Campaigned against child labor and the 1834 Poor Law. Includes excerpts from newspaper articles. (1805-1879)

Political reformer who supported universal male suffrage and annual parliaments. Helped to form the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. (1730-1795)

Site of a Chartist rally led by Feargus O'Connor, an advocate of political reform.

Opposed parliamentary reform and came into conflict with William Pitt over his policy of Catholic Emancipation. Includes brief biography. (1738-1820)

Strong opponent of Catholic Emancipation and against parliamentary reform. Includes brief biography. (1762-1830)

Organized in 1792 for the purpose of campaigning for the working class vote.

Leader of the Whigs in Parliament and the House of Commons. Opposed the idea of a ten-hour day for children factory workers and led the opposition to Michael Sadler and his supporters in the debates on this issue in 1832. Includes excerpts from speeches and letters. (1782-1845)

Poet and member of the House of Lords. Became a strong advocate of social reform and was one of the few men in Parliament to defend the actions of the Luddites. Opposed the Frame Breaking Bill. Includes short biography and portrait. (1788-1824)

Leader of the Whig campaign in the House of Commons for parliamentary reform. Served as prime minister from 1846-52 and 1865-66. (1792-1878)

Whig who was elected to the House of Commons, the House of Lords and became prime minister. Disliked political controversy and after the passing of the 1832 Reform Act did not favor parliamentary reform. (1779-1848)

Member of the Whig party and supporter of parliamentary reform. Appointed chief secretary for Ireland for six years and carried through Parliament several reforms including the Irish Tithe Bill, the Irish Municipal Reform Bill and the Irish Poor Law Bill. (1802-1864)

Served as Secretary at War under five prime ministers. Became Prime Minister and was totally opposed to any extension of the franchise and parliamentary reform. (1784-1865)

Become speaker of the House of Commons in 1789 and was appointed prime minister in 1801. Supported the Tories in parliament, voted against Catholic Emancipation and the Reform Act of 1832 and helped pass the Gagging Acts. (1757-1844)

Author of Take Your Choice, a book which argued the case for parliamentary reform including: manhood suffrage, the secret ballot, annual elections and equal electoral districts. (1740-1824)

Tory newspaper founded by Charles Wheeler in 1781. Achieved popularity with readers who opposed social reform. Ceased publication in 1842.

First published in 1821. Advocated political reform.

First published in 1792. Advocated parliamentary reform. Ceased publication in 1795.

Radical newspaper formed in 1818 which criticized the government. Reported on the incident which became known as the Peterloo Massacre.

Wrote a pamphlet, A Vindication of the Rights of Man, in which she opposed the slave trade, the game laws and ill-treatment of the poor. (1759-1797)

Member of the London Corresponding Society. Wrote and published pamphlets on parliamentary reform. (1745-1815)

Served in the House of Commons and advocated decrease in children's working hours. (1780-1835)

Advocated by Chartists who believed that peaceful methods of persuasion such as the holding of public meetings, the publication of newspapers and pamphlets and the presentation of petitions to the House of Commons would finally convince those in power to change the parliamentary system.

Clash between the Chartists and government troops on November 4, 1839 in which over twenty men were killed and another fifty were wounded.

District was granted two members of Parliament. Almost all elected represented the Tory party, which sought to preserve the traditional political structure and opposed parliamentary reform.

Poet and writer who became involved in radical politics. Author of a pamphlet which suggested a national referendum on electoral reform and improvements in working class education. Includes biography, selections from his works and photo. (1792-1822)

Group led by Feargus O'Connor, who advocated the use of violence to achieve political reform.

Series of strikes called in mines, mills and factories to protest wage reductions and appalling working conditions. Workers removed plugs from factory boilers, forcing the factories to close.

Parliamentary constituencies controlled by one man who was known as the patron. Includes table with list of boroughs, patrons and representation.

Represented in Parliament in 1295 and unlike most boroughs granted the right to vote in parliamentary elections to all inhabitants.

Tactic used in the Chartist campaigns which gave orators such as Fears O'Connor and George Julian Harney the opportunity to persuade people to join the campaign for the six points of the Charter.

Demonstrations waged by the people after the House of Lords defeated the Reform Bill of 1831. Includes a cartoon and letters.

Abstract: Born in Scotland in 1760. Apprenticed as a saddler he moved to London, became partner in a tack company and married the daughter of a wealthy London merchant. He later became a magistrate at Bow Street where he developed a reputation for being autocratic and vindictive. He became Chief Magistrate in 1821 and died in 1832 as Sir Richard Birnie.

Abstract: Born in 1790, the son of a shoemaker from Ashburton, Devon. He received six years education from the local Church of England school, learnt to read and write and at age of twelve left school and was apprenticed as a tinplateman in Plymouth. In 1813 he married a local woman and moved to London where he tried to earn a living by selling the writings of reformers such as Tom Paine. He also began publishing a radical newspaper called The Republican and became involved in the campaign against child labour. Ultimately, he ended up living in poverty but when he died in 1843, a large number of people attended his funeral in recognition of his important role in achieving a free press.

Abstract: Born in 1804, in Heyshott, Sussex one of eleven children. He received very little formal schooling and at the age of fourteen became a clerk in the textile industry. In 1841 General Election Cobden became the MP for Stockport. Cobden believed that international trade was essential if war between major powers was to be avoided. William Gladstone, the Chancellor of the Exchequer agreed and recruited Cobden to negotiate a new trade agreement with France. On 2nd April, 1865, Richard Cobden died of an acute attack of bronchitis.

Absrtact: Born in Leeds in 1789, the son of a clothing merchant. He attended a Moravian boarding school from 1798 to 1810 and became a commission agent. He strongly opposed universal suffrage, trade unions and supported the class structure of the early 19th century. However, he believed it was the responsibility of the ruling class to protect the weak and vulnerable and in 1836 Oastler began advocating workers to use strikes and sabotage in their campaign for factory legislation and changes in the poor law. He died in 1861.

Abstract: Born in Tynton, Glamorgan in 1723, the son of a Congregational minister, rejected his father's religious opinions and instead was attracted to the views of more liberal theologians. After attending a Dissenting Academy in London and he became a chaplain in Stoke Newington. In 1758 he wrote the influential Review of the Principal Questions of Morals and several other books followed. He was attracted to the ideas of Jeremy Bentham and accepted many aspects unitarianism, but was unwilling to question the divinity of Christ. He died in 1791 and his funeral sermon was preached by Joseph Priestly.

Abstract: Born in Dublin in 1751, his parents moved to London and in 1762 he was sent to Harrow School. After six years at Harrow he went to live with his father in Bath. He began writing plays and on in 1775, the Covent Garden Theatre produced his comedy, The Rivals. After a poor reception it was withdrawn though a revised version appeared soon after and it eventually become one of Britain's most popular comedies. In 1780, he became MP for Stafford and in 1782 the Marquis of Rockingham appointed him under secretary for Foreign Affairs. Sheridan opposed the Act of Union with Ireland and lost office when Henry Addington replaced William Pitt as Prime Minister. After several years in debtor's prison he died in poverty in 1816.

Abstract: Born in Lincolnshire in 1775, he moved to London in his youth and became a shoemaker. Over the years his political ideas had become more revolutionary and he was now a follower of Thomas Spence. He was particularly incensed by the Peterloo Massacre and afterwards talked about the possibility of killing Lord Castlereagh and Lord Sidmouth for their role in this event. On 28th April 1820, he, with others, was found guilty of high treason and sentenced to death. He was executed at Newgate Prison on the 1st May, 1820.

Became Secretary for India in Lord Derby's government and Foreign Secretary. Helped in defeat of the Parliamentary Reform Bill proposed by William Gladstone in 1866. Became leader of the Conservative Party and prime minister in 1885. (1830-1903)

Helped establish the National Reform League. In 1852 he was elected to the National Executive Committee of the Chartist movement. (1820-1888)

Abstract: Born in 1771 in Newtown, Wales, at age ten, he went to work in drapers in Lincolnshire. He eventually purchased four textile factories in New Lanark and under his control, the Chorton Twist Company expanded rapidly. He stopped employing children under ten and reduced their labour to ten hours a day. The young children went to the nursery and infant schools that he had built. Older children worked in the factory but also had to attend his secondary school for part of the day. He hoped that the way he treated children at his factories would encourage others to follow his example. By 1827 he had lost interest in his textile mills and sold the business. He continued to work for his "new moral order" until his death in 1858.

Abstract: A rotten borough was a parliamentary constituency that had declined in size but still had the right to elect members of the House of Commons. Rotten boroughs had very few voters and were under the control of one man, the patron. With just a few individuals with the vote and no secret ballot, it was easy for candidates to buy their way to victory.

Abstract: Born in 1812, the eldest of eleven children, after attending the local school he left at fourteen and joined Dr. Robert Lewins as an apprentice and then went to Edinburgh University in 1829 to study medicine and graduated in 1832. While in Edinburgh, Smiles became involved in the campaign for parliamentary reform. In 1837 he began contributing articles on parliamentary reform for theLeeds Times and decided to abandon his career as a doctor and to become a full-time worker for the cause of political change. In the 1850s Samuel Smiles completely abandoned his interest in parliamentary reform and now argued that self-help provided the best route to success. He died in 1904.

Abstract: Born in 1770, the son of the Baronet of Foremark. After being educated at Westminster School and Oxford University, he went on a long tour of Europe. In 1797 he became a member of the House of Commons. He opposed the suspension of Habeas Corpus in 1796 and criticised all attempts by the government to suppress individual freedom. He was seen as the leader of the Radicals in the House of Commons. He died in 1884, while sitting as the Tory M.P. for North Wiltshire.

Anstract: Born in Bury, Lancashire, on 5th February, 1788. Educated at Harrow School and Christ Church, Oxford, he won a double first in classics and mathematics. Robert Peel entered the House of Commons in April 1809, at the age of twenty-one. In 1822, after a brief interlude, rejoined Lord Liverpool's government when he accepted the post of Home Secretary. Over the next five years Peel was responsible for large-scale reform in the legal system including the repeal of over 250 old statutes. For a long time politicians had been concerned about the problems of law and order in London. In 1829 Peel decided to reorganize the way London was policed. As a result of this reform, the new metropolitan police force became known as "Peelers" or "Bobbies". He was badly hurt in a riding accident and on 2nd July, 1850, he died from his injuries.

Abstract: Thomas Spence a schoolteacher from Newcastle-upon-Tyne arrived in London in December 1792. Soon after arriving he was arrested for selling Rights of Man by Tom Paine. For the next twenty years of his life Spence spent long periods in prison for selling Radical books, pamphlets, newspapers and broadsheets. He died in September 1814. He was buried by "forty disciples" who pledged that they would keep his ideas alive. They did this by forming the Society of Spencean Philanthropists.

Abstract: A tax was first imposed on British newspapers in 1712. The tax was gradually increased until in 1815 it had reached 4d. a copy. As few people could afford to pay 6d. or 7d. for a newspaper, the tax restricted the circulation of most of these journals to people with fairly high incomes. The stamp duty was also applied on journals that contained any "public news, intelligence or occurrences, or any remarks or observations thereon, or upon any matter in Church or State." The government announced that it hoped that this stamp duty would stop the publication of newspapers and pamphlets that tended to "excite hatred and contempt of the Government and holy religion."

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Newspaper edited by Edward Baines, an ardent advocate of parliamentary reform and supporter of the Liberal Party.

Middle-class radical newspaper founded in 1833. Attempted to unite working and middle class reformers and favored factory legislation.

Workers, upset by wage reductions and the use of unapprenticed workmen, who broke into factories at night to destroy new machines. Their activities became a capital offense. As a result, Parliament passed the Frame Breaking Act in which people convicted of machine-breaking were sentenced to death.

First published in 1838. Contained reports on Chartist meets in Britain and its letter's page enabled supporters to join the debate on parliamentary reform. Ceased publication in 1852.

Newspaper which advocated government's policies and did not support writers advocating parliamentary reform.

A detailed account of the reform rally which occurred in Manchester on August 16, 1819. Eleven people were killed and about 400, including 100 women, were wounded.

First published in 1802 and became the main newspaper read by the working class. Publisher William Cobbett used the newspaper to campaign for parliamentary reform.

Published in 1831 and closely associated with the National Union of the Working Classes. Gave extensive coverage to the struggle over the 1832 Reform Act. Ceased publication in 1835.

A radical newspaper which criticized the government, particularly for its role in the Peterloo Massacre.

Abstract: The first edition published on 9th June 1787. A pioneer of a newspaper which gave extensive coverage to local issues while reporting on major national stories. Unlike most provincial newspapers, the Sheffield Register did not rely on copying articles that had first appeared in London journals. The newspaper both educated and reflected the views of the artisans and small manufacturers in the area.

Abstract: The Six Acts were a response by Lord Liverpool and his Tory government to the Peterloo Massace of 1819. When Parliament reassembled on 23rd November, 1819, the government's Home Secretary, announced their details. By the 30th December, 1819, Parliament had debated and passed six measures that it hoped would suppress radical newspapers and meetings as well as reducing the possibility of an armed uprising. These measures were opposed by the Whigs as being a suppression of popular rights and liberties and warned that it was unreasonable to pass national laws to deal with problems that only existed in certain areas, especially when those measures would encourage even more rebellion.

Founded by John Walter in 1785 as neutral in politics, the Daily Universal Register included parliamentary reports. Needing funds, a secret deal was made to publish stories favourable to the government. In 1788 it began focusing on scandals and gossip and was renamed The Times. With a new owner in 1803 the newspaper advocated independent reporting and began to argue for parliamentary reform. In a debate in the House of Commons in 1832, Sir Robert Peel argued that The Times was the "principal and most powerful advocate of Reform" in Britain.

Abstract: Born at Hawne House, Halesowen on 6th October, 1783. After being educated at Wolverhampton Grammar School, he began work at his father's bank. Attwood first became involved in politics when he joined the campaign against the East India Company. In 1812 the government appointed a Select Committee to of the House of Commons to investigate the activities of the East India Company. Attwood led the Birmingham delegation which gave evidence to the Committee. In June 1839, he presented the first National Petition to the House of Commons. Although it had been signed by over 1,280,000 people, the Commons rejected the petition by 235 votes to 46. Frustrated by the unwillingness of Parliament to respond to public pressure, he decided to resign from Parliament and died in Malvern on 9th March 1859.

Abstract: The son of the ninth Earl of Dundonald, was born in Annsfield, Lanarkshire in 1775. He was educated at home and after a brief spell at the Chauvet Military Academy in London, he joined the Royal Navy. Cochrane became captain of H.M.S. Speedy in 1800 and he soon established a reputation for his daring and brilliant seamanship against the French Navy. Cochrane came into conflict with the authorities when they refused to support his campaign against corruption in the navy. The naval authorities were furious with Cochrane and he was demoted. Aware that he had lost the opportunity of advancing his naval career, Cochrane concentrated his efforts on campaigning for parliamentary reform. In 1831 he became the tenth Earl of Dundonald and was also reinstated as a Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy. Thomas Cochrane, Earl of Dundonald, died on 31st October 1860.

Abstract: Born in Leicester in 1805, he educated himself at home and in 1828 opened his own school in Gainsborough. At one time he had over a hundred pupils but his decision to provide lessons in Latin and Greek rather than concentrating on the basic subjects was upopular with the parents and the school was eventually forced to close. In November 1840 he became a member of the Chartists and later was found guilty of organising the Plug Plot Riots and spent the next two years in Stafford Gaol. By the time he was released from prison he had changed his mind about the morality of using physical force to obtain the vote. He continued to write for newspapers but after joining the Baptist sect in 1856 he spent most of his time as a travelling preacher. He died in 1892.

Abstract: Born in Liverpool on 5th March, 1768 and educated at a boarding school in London, he was a good student and at seventeen went to Queens' College, Cambridge. In 1802, now a lawyer, he was asked to become a candidate at Thetford and at the age of thirty-four entered the House of Commons. In 1806 the prime minister, Lord Grenville, gave Creevey the position of Secretary to the Board of Control in his government. He lost the job when Grenville resigned in 1807. He also lost his seat at Thetford but in 1820 he became the MP for Appleby. Thomas Creevey died in Greenwich on 2nd February, 1838.

Abstract: Born in Yorkshire in 1796. After his education at Harrow School Duncombe joined the Coldstream Guards. While in the army he met General Ronald Ferguson, and was influenced by his ideas and when he retired from the army in 1819 began to look for a seat in the House of Commons, and was eventually elected to represent Hertford in June 1826. He became a strong supporter of parliamentary reform amd was one of the few members who was willing to argue the case for universal suffrage. He made it clear that he considered it is responsibility to represent the views of the working people as well as those who had actually voted for him. His political life was hampered by ill-health and he was forced to spend long periods away from the House of Commons. He died on 13th November, 1861.

Abstract: Born in August 1747. After being educated at Eton and Queen's College, Cambridge, he became a curate at Leatherhead in Surrey where he came under the influence of the radical preacher, Joseph Priestley. Palmer became dissatisfied with the doctrines of the Church of England and moved to Montrose in Scotland where he joined a group of Unitarians who had opened a chapel in the town. In 1793, he and three other men found guilty of writing and publishing pamphlets on parliamentary reform, were sentenced to prison in Australia. Unlike some of the Scottish Martyrs, Palmer appeared to get on well with the military in New South Wales. He died on 2nd January 1802.

Abstract: Born in Larbert, Scotland in 1752. After a brief education at the local school, he went to work for his grandfather who taught him the trade of shoemaking. Trade was difficult and Hardy gradually came to the conclusion that his economic problems were being caused by a corrupt Parliament. After a period of radicalism and protest activities he was arrested, and during a riotous assault on his house his wife died in childbirth, and his sixth child was sitllborn. After his trial Hardy ceased to be active in politics. He ran a small shoeshop in Covent Garden until his retirement in 1815. Thomas Hardy died in Pimlico on 11th October 1832.

Abstract: Vorn in 1822 and educated at Oriel College, Oxford, he trained as a lawyer. While a student he read The Kingdom of Christ (1838) by Frederick Denison Maurice. In the book Maurice argued that politics and religion are inseparable and that the church should be involved in addressing social questions. Hughes became a supporter of Chartism in 1848, he helped form the Christian Socialist movement. The men discussed how the Church could help to prevent revolution by tackling what they considered were the reasonable grievances of the working class. In 1856 he wrote Tom Brown's Schooldays (1856) based on his school experiences at Rugby School. His follow-up novel, Tom Brown at Oxford was less successful. Hughes became a Liberal MP between 1865 and 1874 and principal of the Working Men's College from 1872 to 1883. Thomas Hughes died in 1896.

Abstract: Born in Leicestershire in 1800. He became editor of the Christian Observer and in 1823 joined with others to form the Anti-Slavery Society. Macaulay became very interested in utilitarianism and was influenced by the ideas of Jeremy Bentham and Joseph Priestley. As well as producing articles for the Edinburgh Review, Macaulay began work on his History of England. The first two volumes were published to great acclaim in 1848, the third and four volumes were published in December 1855. Although criticised for its pro-Whig sympathies, the History of England sold over 26,000 copies in ten weeks and was translated into many languages. In August 1857 he was granted the title Baron Macaulay of Rothley. He attended the House of Lords for debates but refused the offer of a post in the government. Thomas Macaulay died on 28th December 1859.

Abstract: Born in Glasgow in 1765. He began attending Glasgow Grammar School in 1770 and at the age of ten was admitted to Glasgow University. He embarked upon the study of divinity, however, in 1782 he abandoned his studies for the Church and began attending the classes of John Millar, one of Britain's first sociologists. He finished his studies at Edinburgh University and entered the Faculty of Advocates in 1787. Muir soon developed a reputation as a lawyer who was willing to appear in court on behalf of poor clients who could not afford to pay a fee. He also became a fierce critic of a legal system that he believed was biased in favour of the rich. He died on 26th January, 1799.

Abstract: Born in London in 1756 he learnt to draw before he could write and by the time he was ten he was spending all his free time drawing. After attending Eton he became a student at the Royal Academy. At sixteen he left for France where he spent two years at a drawing school in Paris. In 1777 he opened a studio in Wardour Street where he established himself as a portrait painter. Rowlandson also travelled a great deal in Europe where he drew pictures of his experiences. Like many people in England, he was horrified by the way the authorities treated the people who attended the meeting at St. Peter's Field, to hear Henry 'Orator' Hunt speak on parliamentary reform. As a result of the Peterloo Massacre, he drew one of his most overtly political drawings. Thomas Rowlandson died on 22nd April 1827.

Radical journalist and advocate of revolution. As unofficial leader of the revolutionary Radicals, he encouraged the formation of small groups that could meet in local public houses and argued that all land should be nationalised. (1750-1814)

Spent seventeen years in the House of Commons, remained a strong supporter of parliamentary reform and was one of the few members of the House who defended the activities of the Chartists. As one of the main opponents of the stamp duty on newspapers, in 1836 he published six issues of an unstamped paper called A Voice from the Commons. (1796-1862)

Offers information on Thomas Wooler including bibliography and comments on each work.

Industrialist owner of an important textile company in Bradford, then built an industrial community called Saltaire with improved working conditions. Active in politics he did not believe that the 1832 Reform Act went far enough. In 1835 he founded the Bradford Reform Association and publicly supported the Chartists. Disturbed by the growth of the Physical Force Chartists, he helped establish the United Reform Society, an attempt to unite middle and working class reformers. (1803-1876)

Journalist, author, and one of the radical reformers advocating the superiority of republican democracy over monarchical government. Published "The Rights of Man" in which he argued for the vote and equal political rights for all adult males, which would result in a House of Commons. (1737-1809)

One of the early reform groups, Unitarians were closely identified with social and political reform. Considered religious radicals in London, they formed the Unitarian Society in 1791 to promote the cause of parliamentary reform.

Appointed first reporter for the Observer Newspaper in 1791. Recruited as a Home Office Spy with a government subsidy to the paper. Was paid to record what was said at an 1816 meeting of the Society of Spencean Philanthropists, a group advocating revolution, after which he reported the Spenceans were planning to overthrow the British government.

Their elected representation of the constituency in the House of Commons was Radical between 1784 and 1852.

Chartist who worked for the Political Register where he was arrested and found guilty of seditious libel. He believed that the only way equality would be achieved was through a violent revolution. (1784-1841)

An artist mainly employed by the radical bookseller, Joseph Johnson. Blake developed an attitude of revolt against authority, combining political belief and visionary ecstasy. (1757-1827)

Radical journalist and publisher of the Political Register, the main newspaper read by the working class. After the passing of the 1832 Reform Act he was able to win the parliamentary seat of Oldham in the House of Commons where he concentrated his energies on attacking corruption in government. (1763-1835)

Chosen to become president of the London Chartists in 1842. As a militant leader in London, was described by The Times as "the black man and his party". In 1848 a government spy provided information on the group. Based on that evidence he was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to be transported to Tasmania for 21 years. (1788-1870)

A revolutionary, he became involved in radical politics after the Peterloo Massacre and became a member of the Spencean Philanthropists. He was involved in an unsuccessful plot to assassinate several members of the British government and was caught, found guilty of high treason and sentenced to death. (1781-1820)

Opposed parliamentary reform but spoke in favour of the measure when Edward Baines introduced a reform bill, pointing out that only one fiftieth of the working classes had the vote. (1809-1898)

An author with radical political views, Godwin published "Enquiry into Political Justice" in 1793, in which he argued that as long as people acted rationally, they could live without laws or institutions. He had great influence on writers such as Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron. (1756-1836)

Essayist and critic. Wrote articles and pamphlets on political corruption and the need to reform the voting system. Employed as the parliamentary reporter for the Morning Chronicle, he criticized all political parties, Later he contributed to The Examiner, a radical journal. Includes photo and excerpts of political writing. (1778-1830)

Artist and engraver who produced and published political satires and paintings. (1697-1764)

Radical publisher of political pamphlets written by himseld and illustrated by George Cruikshank. (1780-1842)

As High Sheriff of Lancashire, he was kept busy with local attempts to form trade unions and rebellions against the building of textile factories. Appointed chairman of the Lancashire and Cheshire Magistrates in July 1819, he was relied upon to deal severely with working class people arguing for political reform. (1787-1864)

Third son of George III, who ruled England from 1830 to 1837. A Whig who supported Catholic Emancipation and favored parliamentary reform in the House of Lords. (1765-1837)

Established the Anti-Militia Association which successfully campaigned for the end of militia drawings, then joined the National Union of the Working Classes and Grand National Consolidated Trades Union. In 1836 formed the London Working Men's Association (LMWA) which became the Chartists and was the first leader. (1800-1877)

Imprisoned for unpaid debt and recruited as a Home Office spy. Upon release he formed a friendship with radical Charles Pendrill and traveled to meet with leading reformers in industrial districts, falsely informing them that Radicals in London were planning an armed uprising and encouraging local workers to join the rebellion. Oliver was working as an agent provocateur for Lord Sidmouth, the Home Secretary and the men were arrested, some executed and the rest sent to Australia for life.

A moderate reformer, he grew up with a strong interest in politics, served in the House of Commons and argued that parliamentary reform was necessary for the preservation of liberty. Was prime minister from 1783-1801 and 1804-1806. (1759-1806)

Held radical political views. Became Secretary of the Scottish Association of the Friends of the People in 1792. Government spies attended these meetings and Fox was arrested at a meeting in Edinburgh, found guilty of writing and publishing pamphlets on parliamentary reform and sentenced to 14 years in Australia where he died of dysentery, becoming the second Scottish Martyr.

The Chartist groups in many towns had large sections of women who were often more militant than the men. They were mainly involved in campaigning for their husbands' political rights.