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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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John Bright
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(1811–89) English politician from a Quaker mill-owning family who was one of the founders in 1838 of the Manchester association against the *Corn Laws. He and Richard *Cobden emerged as leaders of the campaign. Elected MP for Durham in 1843 (and Manchester 1847–57, Birmingham 1858–89), he continued to use his great powers of oratory not only against trade restrictions but also against military imperialism (as when he told the House of Commons during the *Crimean War, 'The angel of death has been abroad throughout the land; you may almost hear the beating of her wings'). He was also a passionate advocate of parliamentary reform and the extension of the *franchise.
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