Encyclopedias: Spartacus Educational: Reform of Parliament: Thomas Attwood

Description: Abstract: Born at Hawne House, Halesowen on 6th October, 1783. After being educated at Wolverhampton Grammar School, he began work at his father's bank. Attwood first became involved in politics when he joined the campaign against the East India Company. In 1812 the government appointed a Select Committee to of the House of Commons to investigate the activities of the East India Company. Attwood led the Birmingham delegation which gave evidence to the Committee. In June 1839, he presented the first National Petition to the House of Commons. Although it had been signed by over 1,280,000 people, the Commons rejected the petition by 235 votes to 46. Frustrated by the unwillingness of Parliament to respond to public pressure, he decided to resign from Parliament and died in Malvern on 9th March 1859.