COBDEN

Richard, the ‘apostle of free trade* and English politician, was bom in 1804, and died in 1865. In 1830 he started a cotton manufactory in Manchester, which was soon succe ful and in 1838 he joined the Anti-Corn Law League, helping; much to win the victory of the movement. In 1841 he entered Parliament, and laboured as an advocate of parliamentary reform, economy and retrenchment. His last great work was the commercial treaty he brought about between Britain and France in i860. His first political writing was a pamphlet on England, Ireland, and America.