Encyclopedias: Spartacus Educational: Reform of Parliament: Thomas Duncombe

Description: Abstract: Born in Yorkshire in 1796. After his education at Harrow School Duncombe joined the Coldstream Guards. While in the army he met General Ronald Ferguson, and was influenced by his ideas and when he retired from the army in 1819 began to look for a seat in the House of Commons, and was eventually elected to represent Hertford in June 1826. He became a strong supporter of parliamentary reform amd was one of the few members who was willing to argue the case for universal suffrage. He made it clear that he considered it is responsibility to represent the views of the working people as well as those who had actually voted for him. His political life was hampered by ill-health and he was forced to spend long periods away from the House of Commons. He died on 13th November, 1861.