John Wilkes: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:13, 6 November 2005

Revision as of 03:00, 10 November 2005

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==Later life and character==

On his release in [[1770]] he was not made a sheriff in London and in [[1774]] he became Lord Mayor. Also in that year he was re-elected to Parliament, representing Middlesex. He was one of those opposed to war with the American colonies and he was also a supporter of the [[Association Movement]] and of [[religious tolerance]]. His key success was to protect the [[freedom of the press]], removing the power of general warrants and also the ability of Parliament to punish political reports of debates.

Wilkes was extremely ugly, with a hideous squint, but had a charm that carried all before it. He boasted that it "took him only half an hour to talk away his face" and would declare that "a month's start of his rival on account of his face" would secure him the conquest in any love affair.