John Cartwright
John Cartwright was an influential British reform writer of the eighteenth century, born in England and educated at Newark Grammar School and the Heath Academy in Yorkshire. He began his career in the English navy at the age of eighteen but became a supporter of the American colonies during their dispute with English rule, declining a military position in order to avoid fighting against them. Cartwright's advocacy for the colonies led to his retirement from naval service. He published significant works, including "American Independence: The Interest and Glory of Great Britain" in 1744 and the reform pamphlet "Take Your Choice" in 1776. In 1805, he established the Hampden Club in London, aiming to unite middle-class moderates and working-class radicals for parliamentary reform. His efforts in this organization, which flourished despite concerns from British officials, resulted in a brief arrest in 1813. Cartwright continued to write, culminating in "The English Constitution," which proposed a government led by the people with key reforms such as secret ballots and equal suffrage. His contributions to political thought and reform lasted until his death in 1824.
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John Cartwright
Reformer
- Born: September 17, 1740
- Birthplace: Marnham, Nottinghamshire, England
- Died: September 23, 1824
- Place of death: London, England
Biography
John Cartwright, an eighteenth century British reform writer, was born in England. He received his early education at Newark Grammar School and the Heath Academy in Yorkshire, England. At age eighteen, he entered the English navy. In the 1700’s, when the American colonies began to dispute English rule, John Cartwright supported the colonies’ cause. At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, he received an appointment of first lieutenant to the Duke of Cumberland, but declined the position refusing to fight against the Americans. After showing support for the American colonies, Cartwright was forced to retire from his naval career.
In 1744, Cartwright published his first work supporting the rights of the American colonist American Independence: The Interest and Glory of Great Britain. Three years later, in 1776, he published his first pamphlet promoting parliamentary reform, Take Your Choice. In 1805, Cartwright moved to London and organized other leading radicals into an organization called the Hampden Club. The objective of this organization was to unite middle-class moderates and working-class radicals in the cause of the reform. His activities in the Hampden Club worried British officials and, in 1813, led to John Cartwright’s brief arrest. Despite his arrest, the Hampden Club flourished and spread throughout England.
Cartwright spent his later years writingThe English Constitution, which outlined his plan for a government led by the people through the incorporation of secret ballots, electoral districts, and equal suffrage. Cartwright died in 1824.