Henry Peter Brougham (Scotland, 1778-1868)


Figure 1.-- This is a portrait of Henry Peter Brougham and a boy who looks to be about 6 years old. Presumably the boy is a grandson. The portrait is dates (lower left corner), but difficult to mke out. The portrait was taken after Broughman's political career. The date in the lower left habd corner looks to be 1867. The photographer was Mayall, located at 224 Regent Street in London. That would have been a high-class photographer.

Henry Peter Brougham was knighted as the 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux. He was a British parlimentarian and statesman who reached the office of Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom. He was born in Scotland (1778). His career is more associated with England and Britain. He began his career as lawyer in Scotland. He was a prolific author of articles and political tracts. He was a founder of the Edinburgh Review (1802) and an actuve contributor. We was admitted to the English bar (1808). He began his political career as a Whig and entered the House of Commons during the Napoleonic Wars (1810). He from the beginning of his career was a pasionate crusader against the slave trade. The British effort to end the slave trade was a decades long effort envolving the work of awide range of parlinentarians, ministers and labor leaders. One of the first measures Broufgman helped carry in the House was a bill to make the slave-trade a felony. Much later as Lord Chancellor he participated in the final measure of emancipation throughout the Empire. As a young MP he also fought the Government's trade restrictions with Napoleon dominated continental Europe. He represented Queen Carolinre (1820). He swutch parties and became a liberal leader in the Commons. Education was another cause he championed. He proposed a series of educational reforms. He founded the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (1825). He helped found the University of London (1828). He served as Lord Chancellor (1830-34). Some of his important achievements as Lord Chancellor was legal reforms, especially in matters of criminal law. After retiring from Parliament he moved to France and hellped establish Cannes as a trendy resort. The portrait here was taken only a year before his death.

Parents


Childhood

Henry was born in Scotland (1778). He had two brothers, James and William.

Education


Legal Career

Sir Henry's career is more associated with England and Britain. He began his career as lawyer in Scotland. We was admitted to the English bar (1808).

Commemtator

He was a prolific author of articles and political tracts. He was a founder of the Edinburgh Review (1802) and an actuve contributor.

Whig MP

He began his political career as a Whig and entered the House of Commons during the Napoleonic Wars (1810). As a young MP he also fought the Government's trade restrictions with Napoleon dominated continental Europe.

Slave Trade

He from the beginning of his career was a pasionate crusader against the slave trade. The British effort to end the slave trade was a decades long effort envolving the work of awide range of parlinentarians, ministers and labor leaders. One of the first measures Broufgman helped carry in the House was a bill to make the slave-trade a felony. Much later as Lord Chancellor he participated in the final measure of emancipation throughout the Empire.

Queen Caroline

Broughman represented Queen Caroline (1820). The divorce case King George IV and Queen Caroline is one of the most dramatic and scandalous affairs of the 19th century. It was the first attempt by a British king to divorce his wife since Henry VIII. Queen Caroline was fortunate to live in more civilized times. The Prince was prevailed by Parlimentarians to marry his cousin Caroline of Brunswick. Parliament promised to pay off his enormous debts. The Prince had already secretly married Maria Fitzherbert, a Roman Catholic widow. The marriage was illegal in accordance with the terms of the Royal Marriages Act of 1772. The Prince also had numerous mistresses. Caroline and the Prince of Wales were not well matched. They married (1795). Princess Caroline had a daughter, but then separated and the two lived separtely for the rest of their lives. The Prince of Wales accused her of giving birth to an illegitimate child (1806). Legally that was still treason. The Princess was found innocent by an inquiry commission. The Prince initiated furtur legal proceedings (1818). The only people who publicallu supported Caroline were Henry Brougham and his brother James. George became king (1820). Caroline demanded her place and status as queen. George wanted an elaborate coronation as was terrified that the Queen would spoil the event. Feorge took legal action to pervent her from obtaining the status of Queen. The case was argued before the House of Lords. Most of Lpndoin thought the Queen guilty, but the evidence was circumstantial. Brougham served as the Queen's lead attorney. The charges were eventually dropped when it became clear that they would not pass. Brougham gained great fame for representing the Queen. She died, however, before George's cornanation (1821).

The Liberals

He swutch parties and became a liberal leader in the Commons.

Family

Brougham married Mary Spalding (18??-65), daughter of Thomas Eden (1821). There were two daughters, both of whom died as children before their parents. The second daugter died in 1839.

Educational Reforms

Education was another cause he championed. He proposed a series of educational reforms. He founded the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (1825). He helped found the University of London (1828).

Lord Chancellor

He served as Lord Chancellor (1830-34). Some of his important achievements as Lord Chancellor was legal reforms, especially in matters of criminal law.

Final Years

After retiring from Parliament he moved to France and hellped establish Cannes as a trendy resort. The portrait here was taken in London only a year before his death (1867). We are unsure who the boy is, perhaps a nephew or great nephew. Lord Brougham and Vaux died in Cannesi (1868). He was buried in the Cimetière du Grand Jas.






HBC





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Created: 12:02 AM 8/15/2008
Last updated: 12:58 PM 8/15/2008