Reform of Parliament
When people heard the news of the Lords Reform Act veto, Reform Riots take place in several British towns; the most serious of these being in Bristol
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1831 in Great Britain — Page 2
Explore 78 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1831.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1831
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 38 of 78 unique records.
78Unique records
2 of 2Page
37Named events on this page
16Named people on this page
15Places on this page
October
Reform Riots
Grey's Reform Bill crisis triggers severe riots in Bristol.
December
Rule of Falkland Islands
Britain takes control of the islands by force with the invasion of the Falkland Islands following the destruction of the Argentine settlement at Puerto Luis by the American sloop USS Lexington
Siege of Puerto Luis
Britain takes control of the islands by force with the invasion of the Falkland Islands following the destruction of the Argentine settlement at Puerto Luis by the American sloop USS Lexington
Election
The general election on the reformed franchise gives Grey a 300 majority
Franchise
The general election on the reformed franchise gives Grey a 300 majority
Other events (month unknown)
Ambassador
Appointed Minister of Constantinople, 2nd term
Birth of James Clerk Maxwell
Birth of James Clerk Maxwell
Bristol Docks
Brunel is appointed engineer to Bristol Docks and begins improving the harbour's engineering works.
Bristol Riots Interrupt Bridge Finance
The unrest in Bristol undermined investor confidence and contributed to suspension of early bridge work.
Brunel Estimates Fifty Seven Thousand Pounds
Brunel estimates the Clifton Suspension Bridge project at approximately fifty seven thousand pounds, including elaborate treatment of the towers and suspension works.
Buxton Challenges Colonial Slavery
Thomas Fowell Buxton continued pressing Parliament to replace enslavement in the colonies with a system of legal freedom.
Clifton Bridge Cost Estimate Prepared
Brunel estimates the suspension bridge project at about fifty-seven thousand pounds, including architectural treatment of the towers.
Clifton Gorge Bridge Works Begin
Initial work commenced on the bridge project but civil disturbances in Bristol disrupted early progress.
Clifton Main Span Fixed at 214 Metres
Brunel's accepted scheme uses a main suspension span of about 214 metres across the Avon Gorge.
Clifton Suspension Bridge
Brunel secures acceptance of his revised suspension bridge design and becomes project engineer.
Constitution of Great Britain
Elected Member of Parliament, calls himself "an old constitutional Whig"
Construction
Work begins on the Clifton Suspension Bridge, one of Brunel's earliest major independent projects.
Death of Arthur Wellesley
Death of Kitty Pakenham, Wellington never remarries
Discovery of Clarence Islands
Charters the Beaufort Islands, later renamed Clarence Islands
Discovery of Electro-Magnetism
Discovers Electro-Magnetic Induction
Dock Engineering Appointment Accepted
Brunel took responsibility for investigating technical improvements to Bristol's commercial harbour facilities.
East Gorge Foundation Stone Laid
Construction of Brunel's proposed suspension bridge formally begins with the laying of a foundation stone on the Clifton side of the Avon Gorge in June 1831.
Education
Graduates with a double first
Egyptian Style Incorporated Into Clifton Design
Brunel develops Egyptian inspired architectural features for the planned Clifton bridge towers, integrating monumental appearance with the proposed iron suspension structure.
Factory Law Limits Teenage Workday
The 1831 factory legislation reduced permitted working hours for young people under eighteen in cotton mills.
First Reform Bill Debates Context
The fierce contest over parliamentary representation supplied a major public issue for the Review's politically engaged readership.
Hobhouse Sponsors Factory Hours Reform
John Cam Hobhouse promoted new statutory limits on working hours in cotton manufacturing as the movement for factory reform grew.
Libel Trial Ends in Acquittal
Cobbett was acquitted in a seditious libel case arising from his writings about rural unrest and political reform.
Member of Parliament
Elected Member of Parliament, calls himself "an old constitutional Whig"
Member of Parliament
Elected Member of Parliament
Museum Numismatic Scholarship Develops
Edward Hawkins helped develop the British Museum's study and classification of coins and medals.
Newhall Hill Meeting
Leads mass reform meetings at Newhall Hill during the Reform Bill crisis.
Night Work Restrictions Strengthened
Hobhouse's 1831 factory legislation extended protections against night work for young persons employed in cotton mills.
Parliamentary Reform Bill Debates
Grey's government advanced parliamentary reform, prompting prolonged debate about representation and the power of unreformed boroughs.
Passenger Railway Operating Methods Evolve
Early experience with scheduled steam services established practices for station operations and dispatching trains. The project contributed to an expanding network of engineering expertise.
Prime Minister of Great Britain
Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain, 2nd term
Revised Clifton Scheme Accepted
Brunel's revised suspension bridge proposal was selected for the planned crossing of the Avon Gorge.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.