Richard Cobden Letters, 1833-1865

Collection context

Summary

Creators:
Cobden, Richard, 1804-1865
Abstract:
Richard Cobden (1804-1865) was born in Dunford, Sussex, England. He was a middle-class manufacturer and MP. He became interested in the Manchester Anti-Corn Law Association in 1838 and helped to transform it into the National Anti-Corn-Law League. Cobden was elected to Parliament in 1841, 1847 and 1859. The collection consists of 225 items, mostly correspondence from Cobden to others concerning his activities as a leader of the Anti-Corn-Law League, 1838-46.
Extent:
2 boxes (1 linear ft.)
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of 225 items, mostly correspondence from Cobden to others concerning his activities as a leader of the Anti-Corn-Law League, 1838-46. Includes letters to Salis Schwabe, Julie Salis-Schwabe, William Tait, his brothers and sisters, and others. Also includes materials regarding testimonials and a pamphlet by Cobden titled, 1793 and 1853, in three letters.

Biographical / historical:

Cobden was born in Dunford, Sussex, England on June 3, 1804; became a middle-class manufacturer and Member of Parliament, advocating free trade, non-intervention in foreign affairs, an end to aristocratic misrule, and a variety of radical political reforms; became interested in the Manchester Anti-Corn Law Association in 1838 and helped to transform it into the National Anti-Corn-Law League; the League agitated for the repeal of the Corn and Provision Laws, which was achieved in 1846 due to the famine in Ireland; elected to Parliament in 1841 and again in 1847, working for international arbitration, financial reform and arms reduction; opposed the conduct of the Crimean War; although defeated in 1857, he returned to Parliament in 1859; he negotiated reciprocal tariff reductions with France, 1860; died in London on April 2, 1865.

Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series:

  1. Letters from Cobden to siblings (Box 1).
  2. Letters from Cobden to Salis Schwabe, 1846-52 (Box 1).
  3. Letters from Cobden to Mme. Julie Salis-Schwabe, 1850-64 (Box 2).
  4. Letters from Cobden to William Tait, 1835-41 (Box 2).
  5. Letters from Cobden to various persons (Box 2).
  6. Notes and printed material (Box 2).

Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Legislators--England--Archival resources.
Social reformers--England--Archival resources.
Corn laws (Great Britain).
Names:
Anti-Corn-Law League.
Cobden, Richard, 1804-1865--Correspondence.
Salis-Schwabe, Julie, 1819-1897.
Tait, William, 1793-1864.
Indexes:

Alphabetical List Of Correspondents

(* indicates added entry in numbered collections catalog.)

Ashley, Lord see Shaftesbury, Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of.
* Black, Adam, 1784-1874. 2 letters: Box 2, folders 18 & 24.
Bunsen, Chevalier 1 copy of letter to: Box 2, folder 8. Also 1 copy of a letter to: Box 2, folder 1
Cobden, Charles 1 letter: Box 1, folder 4.
Cobden Frederick W. 20 letters: Box 1, folders 1-8.
Cobden, Harry 1 letter: Box 1, folder 3.
Cobden, Katherine 2 letters: Box 1, folder 8.
Cobden, Millicent 1 letter: Box 1, folder 3.
Heron, J.S. 1 letter: Box 2, folder 17.
Kershaw, 1 letter: Box 2, folder 19.
* Reed, Charles, 1819-1881. 1 letter: Box 2, folder 21.
Schwabe, Salis 38 letters: Box 1, folders 9-15.
* Salis-Schwabe, Mme. Julie, 1819-1897. 63 letters: Box 2, folders 1-11.
* Shaftesbury, Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of, 1801-1885. 3 letters: Box 2, folders 21, 22 & 26.
* Tait, William, 1793-1864. 26 letters: Box 2, folders 12-15 (14 letters), 16 (6 letters), 20 (1 letter) & 24 (5 letters)
Toms, George 3 letters: Box 2, folders 17, 20 & 26.
* Waghorn, Thomas, 1800-1850. 1 letter: Box 2, folder 20.
Wood, 1 letter: Box 2, folder 21.

Access and use

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988