Birth of Richard Cobden
Birth of Richard Cobden
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Richard Cobden Biography and Timeline
Follow Richard Cobden through 18 dated historical records for Great Britain.
Richard Cobden, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
18Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1804–1860Years on this page
1804
Corn Law
Birth of Richard Cobden
1832
Cobden Advocates Lower Food Costs
Richard Cobden increasingly connected free trade with affordable food and the interests of manufacturing communities.
1838
Corn Law Opposition Gains Manchester Platform
Cobden joined the growing movement for repeal of grain duties in the industrial districts of Lancashire.
1839
ACLL
Founds the Anti Corn Law League to promote free trade & internationalism
Corn Law
Founds the Anti Corn Law League to promote free trade & internationalism
National League Promotes Grain Repeal
The Anti Corn Law League organized campaigns for the abolition of protective import duties on grain.
1840
Free Trade Lectures Reach Wider Audiences
League advocates used public speeches and educational meetings to explain the economic case against restrictions on imported wheat.
1841
Cobden Elected To Parliament
Cobden entered the House of Commons as member for Stockport and carried the repeal movement into parliamentary debate.
1842
Cobden Opposes Peel Tariff Compromise
Cobden argued that modifying duties would not resolve the social and economic costs of protecting domestic grain.
1843
League Expands Fundraising Campaign
Large subscriptions financed League speakers publications and organization across the country.
1845
Irish Potato Failure Strengthens Repeal Case
The Irish potato crop failure intensified calls for removing restrictions that raised the price of imported food.
1846
Cobden Defends Repeal In Commons
Cobden urged members of Parliament to reject protectionist arguments and permit cheaper imported food.
1857
Bombing of Canton
Forwards a vote of censure in the Government for Bowrings bombardment of Canton
Vote of Confidence
Forwards a vote of censure in the Government for Bowrings bombardment of Canton. Cobdens vote of censure leads to the fall of the Government. Censures the Government for its support of Bowrings bombardment of Canton
1859
Resignation of Richard Cobden
Resigned in opposition to the Crimea War in 1857 but returns to office in 1859
Treaty of Cobden
Michel Chevalier visits Gladstone to discuss Anglo-French free trade. Gladstone has a budget surplus & wishes to quell anti French feeling
1860
Treaty of Cobden
Reduces French duties on coal & manufactured goods. Puts the Cobden Treaty with France through Parliament as part of the Gladstone budget. Negotiated by Michel Chevalier & Cobden marking the recognition of common interests. Lowers British duties on wine & brandy
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.