Richard Cobden

Date of Birth: June 3, 1804

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: April 2, 1865

Biography

Richard Cobden was an influential English businessman and a prominent figure in the 19th century. Born into a farming family, Cobden’s early life was marked by hardship and limited educational opportunities. However, his keen intellect and entrepreneurial spirit propelled him into the business world, where he achieved remarkable success. He is best known for his role in the anti-Corn Law movement, advocating for free trade and economic liberalism. Cobden co-founded the Manchester Anti-Corn Law League, which played a crucial role in the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846. These laws imposed tariffs on imported grain, leading to high food prices and economic hardship for many. Cobden’s tireless campaigning and persuasive oratory helped shift public opinion and policy, making him a celebrated champion of free trade. Beyond his political activism, Cobden was a successful businessman, particularly in the cotton industry. He also ventured into publishing, where he furthered his advocacy for economic reforms. Cobden’s legacy is defined by his unwavering commitment to free trade, peace, and international cooperation.

5 Interesting Facts about Richard Cobden

1. Cobden was a self-made businessman who started with a small calico-printing business and eventually became a significant figure in the cotton industry.

2. He was a leading figure in the repeal of the Corn Laws, which significantly reduced food prices and improved living conditions for the poor.

3. Cobden strongly opposed the Crimean War, advocating for peaceful resolutions to international conflicts.

4. He was a Member of Parliament, representing Stockport, West Riding of Yorkshire, and Rochdale at different times.

5. Cobden was a pioneer of the Free Trade movement and believed that economic interdependence among nations would lead to global peace.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Richard Cobden

1. “Peace will come to earth when the people have more to do with each other and governments less.”

2. “The progress of freedom depends more upon the maintenance of peace than upon the labor of legislators.”

3. “Free trade is not a principle; it is an expedient.”

4. “The advocates of free trade do not want the power to influence other nations; they want the power to influence their own.”

5. “Wars have ever been but another aristocratic mode of plundering and oppressing commerce.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth Richard Cobden achieved was estimated to be around £100,000, a substantial sum in the 19th century, equivalent to several million dollars today.

Children

Richard Cobden had five children with his wife, Catherine Anne Williams. They had two sons and three daughters: Jane Cobden, Ellen Melly Cobden, and Anne Cobden-Sanderson, who became notable for their own contributions to social causes and activism.