Encyclopedias: Spartacus Educational: Reform of Parliament: Richard Cobden

Description: 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.