William Cobbett

NAME William Cobbett

WHAT FAMOUS FOR William Cobbett was a prolific English journalist, social commentator, and political activist. He is best known for his radical political views, his outspoken criticism of the British government, and his influential role in the early 19th century reform movement.

BIRTH William Cobbett was born on March 9, 1763, in Farnham, Surrey, England.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Cobbett was the third son of George Cobbett, a small farmer and innkeeper who ran a pub called "The Jolly Farmer" in Bridge Square, Farnham,, and Anne Vincent. His father taught him to read and write, an unusual gift for a child of a poor farming family in the 18th century.

CHILDHOOD Cobbett spent his early years in rural Farnham, where he learned the values of hard work and self-sufficiency. His upbringing on a farm deeply influenced his later political views, particularly his empathy for the struggles of rural laborers.

Cobbett worked from an early age. He later recalled:"I do not remember a time when I did not earn my living. My first occupation was driving small birds from the turnip seed, and the rooks from the peas

EDUCATION Cobbett's education was largely informal, provided by his father. He had little formal schooling but was an avid reader, which played a key role in shaping his intellectual development.

CAREER RECORD Cobbett’s career spanned many fields. 

Worked as a farm laborer in his youth

Worked as a farm laborer at Farnham Castle1

Briefly worked as a gardener in the King's garden at Kew.

1783 On May 6, 1783, Cobbett moved to London and worked a clerk in the employ of a Mr. Holland at Gray's Inn.

1784 Enlisted in the 54th Regiment of Foot.

Cartoon of Cobbett enlisting in the army. From the Political Register of 1809. Artist James Gillray.

1792 After leaving the army, Cobbett began his career as a political writer and initially made a living in Philadelphia by teaching English to French émigrés and translating texts from French to English.

1796 Cobbett set up a bookstore and monthly publication called The Censor in Philadelphia, though it was short-lived. 

1797 He established a daily newspaper called the Porcupine Gazette. 

1800 Returned to England in 1800 and wrote extensively on political reform, agriculture, and other topics.

1802 Founded The Weekly Political Register, which became a powerful voice of Radicalism by 1804. 

1832 After several unsuccessful attempts, Cobbett was finally elected as MP for Oldham in 1832 after passage of The Reform Act. 

APPEARANCE Cobbett was described as stocky and robust, with a face that reflected the determination and energy that characterized his writings and political activism. One source describes him as "the most perfect specimen of the typical 'John Bull'" - suggesting he embodied a stereotypical English appearance and demeanor. 

William Cobbett, portrait in oils possibly by George Cooke, c. 1831

FASHION Cobbett was not known for being particularly fashionable, often dressing plainly, in keeping with his rural roots and practical outlook.

CHARACTER Cobbett had a strong and outspoken personality, driven by a fierce sense of justice. He was known for his passionate defense of the poor and his relentless attacks on corruption. His stubbornness and combative nature often put him at odds with those in power.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Cobbett possessed a biting sense of humor, which he frequently employed in his political writings, especially when ridiculing opponents or unjust institutions.

Cobbett had a habit of giving colorful nicknames to people and places he disliked. He famously referred to London as "The Wen" (meaning a cyst or boil), expressing his disdain for the city's rapid growth and corruption

RELATIONSHIPS William Cobbett married Anne Reid on February 5, 1792 in Woolwich, London. They had met previously when Cobbett was stationed at Fort Howe in New Brunswick, Canada, where Anne's father was an artillery sergeant.

Their marriage was reportedly strong, and Anne played a supportive role throughout Cobbett's tumultuous political career. They had several children together.

MONEY AND FAME Though he achieved fame for his political writings, Cobbett faced financial difficulties throughout his life, particularly due to legal battles and imprisonments. His fame grew steadily with his transition to Radicalism, and he became a well-known public figure in Britain.

FOOD AND DRINK Cobbett’s rural background influenced his tastes in food and drink. He favored a diet based on meat, bread, dairy, and home-brewed beer. He advocated for simple, hearty fare that working people could produce themselves, and was skeptical of vegetables and imported or processed foods.

MUSIC AND ARTS Cobbett had little interest in music or the arts. He was more concerned with practical matters and political issues.

LITERATURE Cobbett was a voracious reader and prolific writer. His own works, such as Rural Rides, Cottage Economy, and his many political pamphlets, are seen as some of the most significant contributions to English political literature in the early 19th century.

Notable biographies include William Cobbett: A Biography by Richard Ingrams and Cobbett's England by George Spater, which offer in-depth views of his life, philosophy, and political achievements.

NATURE Cobbett had a deep connection to the countryside and rural life, which is most famously expressed in his book Rural Rides (1830). His love of nature and farming shaped his political views, especially his concern for the plight of rural workers.

Cobbett wrote The American Gardener and was interested in cultivating various plants, including trees like the black locust.

PETS  There is a touching anecdote about Cobbett driving away howling dogs at night so that his wife could sleep peacefully. This suggests a level of care for his household environment, though it does not explicitly indicate a love for dogs 

HOBBIES AND SPORTS He enjoyed country pursuits like hunting and skating. However, Cobbett’s main hobbies revolved around farming and agriculture. His writings often discuss practical farming methods, reflecting his lifelong interest in rural and agricultural issues.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Cobbett had a practical understanding of science and mathematics, which he applied to his work in agriculture and politics.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Cobbett was a member of the Church of England and defended it as an important English institution. However, he was critical of corrupt or negligent clergy and advocated for reform within the church.

His religious views were relatively conventional for his time - he believed in God and Christian morality. Cobbett saw religion as important for maintaining social order and morality,

Cobbett connected his religious views to his social and political philosophy, seeing Christian values as supporting his vision of a just rural society.

POLITICS Cobbett started as a Tory but transitioned to Radicalism by 1804. He championed the rights of the working class and rural poor, denounced corruption in government, and fought for parliamentary reform. He was a vocal critic of the 1834 Poor Law, which he saw as an attack on the dignity of the working class.

SOCIAL REFORM Cobbett was a man of many hats, but he was most passionate about politics. He was a fierce critic of the British government, which he saw as corrupt and out of touch with the needs of the people. He railed against the "rotten boroughs," the electoral districts that were controlled by a small group of wealthy landowners. He demanded that Parliament be reformed to give a voice to the common people.

Cobbett was also a champion of the working class, particularly farmers and laborers. He believed that the government should do more to help the poor and reduce poverty. He advocated for lower taxes, higher wages, and the abolition of the "commons enclosures," a practice that had forced many people off their land.

Despite his grumpy demeanor and radical views, Cobbett was a popular figure. He was known for his honesty and his willingness to speak his mind, no matter the consequences. He helped to shape the political landscape of England and played a key role in the passage of the Reform Act of 1832.

SCANDAL Cobbett was no stranger to scandal. In 1810, he was imprisoned for two years after criticizing the flogging of British soldiers by German mercenaries. He faced libel charges multiple times throughout his career due to his outspoken political writings.

MILITARY RECORD Cobbett served in the British Army, joining the 54th Regiment of Foot in 1783. He was stationed in New Brunswick, Canada, from 1785 to 1791, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant Major, the highest non-commissioned rank. He received a honorable discharge on December 19, 1791.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Cobbett was known for his physical strength and stamina, likely a product of his rural upbringing and military service. He remained active throughout his life, particularly in his farming activities.

HOMES Cobbett lived in several places throughout his life, including New Brunswick, the United States, and various parts of England. In his later years, he farmed at Normandy in Surrey, near his birthplace of Farnham.

TRAVEL Cobbett traveled extensively during his life. He lived in Canada while in the military, spent years in the United States during the 1790s and again in 1817, and traveled across Britain during his political campaigns.

Cobbett most famous work is Rural Rides, a series of travelogues that offer a fascinating glimpse into English life in the early 19th century. Rural Rides were conducted on horseback, and Cobbett seemed to enjoy this mode of travel for observing the countryside.

DEATH Cobbett died at his farm in Normandy, Surrey, in June 1835 after a short illness. He was buried in the churchyard of St Andrew’s Parish Church in Farnham, near his birthplace.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Cobbett has been referenced in shows and series focusing on British history, such as the BBC’s The Century That Made Us, which examines 19th-century reformers.

ACHIEVEMENTS Cobbett’s greatest achievements include founding The Weekly Political Register, his tireless campaigning for parliamentary reform, and his seminal work Rural Rides. His influence on the development of British Radicalism and the reform movement of the early 19th century is considered significant.