John Wilkes

John Wilkes (17 October 1725 – 26 December 1797) was an English radical journalist and politician, as well as a magistrate, essayist and soldier. He was first elected a Member of Parliament in 1757. In the Middlesex election dispute, he fought for the right of his votersrather than the House of Commonsto determine their representatives. In 1768, angry protests of his supporters were suppressed in the Massacre of St George's Fields. In 1771, he was instrumental in obliging the government to concede the right of printers to publish verbatim accounts of parliamentary debates. In 1776, he introduced the first bill for parliamentary reform in the British Parliament.

During the American War of Independence, he was a supporter of the rebels, adding further to his popularity with American Whigs. In 1780, however, he commanded militia forces which helped put down the Gordon Riots, damaging his popularity with many radicals. This marked a turning point, leading him to embrace increasingly conservative policies which caused dissatisfaction among the radical low-to-middle income landowners. This was instrumental in the loss of his Middlesex parliamentary seat in the 1790 general election. At the age of 65, Wilkes retired from politics and took no part in the social reforms following the French Revolution, such as Catholic Emancipation in the 1790s. During his life, he earned a reputation as a libertine. Provided by Wikipedia

10
by Wilkes, John
Published 1765
Printed for the author, sold by J. Harrison

14
by Wilkes, John
Published 1786
[s.n.]

16
by Wilkes, John
Published 1763
printed for J. Williams

17
by Wilkes, John
Published 1764

18
by Wilkes, John
Published 1763
Lnodon [sic]: printed by especial appointment for E. Sumpter. And, Dublin: re-printed, and sold by the booksellers

19
by Wilkes, John
Published 1799
printed by J. Vigevena , Huggin Lane, Wood Street, Cheapside. And sold by Mess. Crosby and Letterman , Stationers-Court, Ludgate-Hill ; and every other bookseller in town and country