Encyclopedias: Spartacus Educational: Reform of Parliament: William Oliver

Description: Imprisoned for unpaid debt and recruited as a Home Office spy. Upon release he formed a friendship with radical Charles Pendrill and traveled to meet with leading reformers in industrial districts, falsely informing them that Radicals in London were planning an armed uprising and encouraging local workers to join the rebellion. Oliver was working as an agent provocateur for Lord Sidmouth, the Home Secretary and the men were arrested, some executed and the rest sent to Australia for life.