The Life and Times of John Wilkes, M. P., Lord Mayor of London, and Chamberlain, Volume 2Ward and Downey, 1888 - Great Britain "John Wilkes (17 October 1725 ? 26 December 1797) was an English radical, journalist, and politician. He was first elected Member of Parliament in 1757. In the Middlesex election dispute, he fought for the right of voters?rather than the House of Commons?to determine their representatives. In 1771, he was instrumental in obliging the government to concede the right of printers to publish verbatim accounts of parliamentary debates. In 1776, he introduced the first Bill for parliamentary reform in the British Parliament. During the American War of Independence, he was a supporter of the American rebels, adding further to his popularity with American Whigs. In 1780, however, he commanded militia forces which helped put down the Gordon Riots, damaging his popularity with many radicals."--Wikipedia. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
admiration Alderman amusing answer attend Beckford Boswell Brass Crosby Brentford called candidate cause character City of London Colonel contest contrived Crown daughter dear debts declared Dilly Dined Duke election Elkanah Settle extraordinary faction father favour Fitzherbert followed Francis gave gentleman give Guildhall honour Horne Horne's House of Commons House of Lords imprisonment John Wilkes Johnson Junius justice King lady letter libel liberty Livery Lord Chatham Lord Halifax Lord Mayor Lord North Lord Sandwich Luttrell magistrate Majesty Majesty's mayoralty ment Middlesex Ministers Miss Wilkes never North Briton occasion Oliver opinion papers Parliament patriot persons petition pleasant political Polly present Prince's Court printer prison received remonstrance replied riot Sawbridge scene seems sent Sheriffs society speech spirit thought tion took Townshend violent votes Walpole warrant Wheble whole Wilkes's Wilkite wish wrote