The Atlantic: Richard Cobden, the Apostle of Free Trade: His Political Career and Public Services
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Richard Cobden
Richard Cobden was a British Radical and Liberal politician, manufacturer, and a campaigner for free trade and peace. He was associated with the Anti–Corn Law League and the Cobden–Chevalier Treaty.
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business · British politician (1804–1865) · politician · economist · writer · businessperson · factory owner · also Richard Cobden, Cobden
Born 3 June 1804 · Died 2 April 1865 · Q333072
33 published statements · 0 followers
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What, then, is the good of this "protection"? Why, the country have come to regard it, as they regard witchcraft, as a mere sound and a delusion. They no more regard your precautions against free trade, than they regard the horse-shoes that are nailed over the stables to keep the witches away from the horses.
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2022· 1 entry
2006· 1 entry
As part of an urban regeneration scheme, but is now back in place
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1966· 1 entry
The Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson attacked Philip Snowden for holding the views of "Puritan Cobdenism" which "prevented any expansionist action to relieve unemployment" by the government during the Great Depression
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1941· 1 entry
During the Second World War, that Cobden's ideas "stand out in almost complete opposition to the 'gospel' according to Marx":
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1932· 1 entry
The former Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Snowden said there was never a greater mistake than to say that Cobdenism was dead: "Cobdenism was never more alive throughout the world than it was to-day
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1903· 1 entry
Reignited the free trade versus protectionism debate in Britain
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1868· 1 entry
Is located at West Lavington in West Sussex
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1866· 1 entry
The Cobden Club was founded to promote "Peace, Free Trade and Goodwill Among Nations"
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1865· 4 entries
Died 1865-04-02.
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“I believe that if you abolish the Corn-law honestly, and adopt Free Trade in its simplicity, there will not be a tariff in Europe that will not be changed in less than five years to follow your example.”
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“What, then, is the good of this "protection"? Why, the country have come to regard it, as they regard witchcraft, as a mere sound and a delusion. They no more regard your precautions against free trade, than they regard the horse-shoes that are nailed over the stables to keep the witches away from the horses.”
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“I know that there are many heads which cannot comprehend and master a proposition in political economy. I believe that study is the highest exercise of the human mind.”
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1862· 1 entry
Published his pamphlet entitled The Three Panics, the object of which was to trace the history and expose the folly of those periodical visitations of alarm as to French designs with which Britain had been afflicted f
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1859· 1 entry
Career landmark: member of the 18th Parliament of the United Kingdom (1859–1865).
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1856· 1 entry
Their only son died aged 15 after a short scarlet fever illness
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1852· 1 entry
Career landmark: member of the 16th Parliament of the United Kingdom (1852–1857).
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1850· 1 entry
Asked Combe to provide a phrenological reading of his son
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1849· 1 entry
Brought forward a proposal in parliament in favour of international arbitration, and, in 1851, a motion for mutual reduction of armaments
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1847· 3 entries
Had also repurchased the old family home at Dunford and in 1852 or 1853 rebuilt the house there, which he then continued to occupy until his death
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Career landmark: member of the 15th Parliament of the United Kingdom (1847–1852).
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Career landmark: member of the 15th Parliament of the United Kingdom (1847–1847).
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1841· 2 entries
Sir Robert Peel having defeated the Melbourne ministry in parliament, there was a general election, and Cobden was returned as the new member for Stockport
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Career landmark: member of the 14th Parliament of the United Kingdom (1841–1847).
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1840· 1 entry
Cobden married Catherine Anne Williams, a Welsh woman
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1838· 2 entries
The league was formed in Manchester; on Cobden's suggestion, it became a national association, the Anti–Corn Law League
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And John Bright founded the Anti–Corn Law League, aimed at abolishing the unpopular Corn Laws, which protected landowners' interests by levying taxes on imported wheat, thus raising the price of bread
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1837· 1 entry
The death of William IV and the accession of Queen Victoria led to the 1837 United Kingdom general election
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1836· 1 entry
He was elected to the membership of Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society on 29 April 1836 and in 1840, Cobden married Catherine Anne Williams, a Welsh woman.
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1835· 1 entry
Published his first pamphlet, entitled England, Ireland and America, by a Manchester Manufacturer
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1832· 1 entry
Beginning a long association with the city
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1831· 1 entry
The partners sought to lease a factory from Fort's at Sabden, near Clitheroe, Lancashire
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1828· 1 entry
Cobden set up his own business with Sheriff and Gillet, partly with capital from John Lewis, acting as London agents for Fort Brothers, Manchester calico printers
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1804· 1 entry
Born 1804-06-03.
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