John Wilkes

John Wilkes (17 October 1727 – 26 December 1797) was an English radical, journalist and politician.

Later life and character

On his release in 1770 he was 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.

Related Topics:
1770 - 1774 - Association Movement - Religious tolerance - Freedom of the press

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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.

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He was well known for his verbal wit and his snappy responses to insults. For instance, former friend and member of the Hellfire Club, Lord Sandwich shouted to him "You, Sir, will either die of the pox or the gallows!" Wilkes responded "That would depend on whether I embrace your lordship's mistresses or your principles." When told by a constituent that he would rather vote for the devil, Wilkes responded: "Naturally". He then added: "And if your friend decides against standing, can I count on your vote?"

Related Topics:
Hellfire Club - Lord Sandwich - Constituent

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His popularity fell from around 1780 as he became less radical. He headed the forces putting down the Gordon Riots and when the phrase "Wilkes and Liberty!" was said to him in later years he would turn away. While he was comfortably re-elected for Middlesex that year and again in 1784, by 1790 he found so little support that he withdrew early in the election.

Related Topics:
1780 - Gordon Riots - 1784 - 1790

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The Dutch politician Joan van der Capellen tot den Pol (1741–1784), who advocated the American Revolution and criticized the Stadtholder regime, was inspired by Wilkes.

Related Topics:
Joan van der Capellen tot den Pol - 1741 - 1784 - American Revolution - Stadtholder - Regime

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The city of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania was named for John Wilkes and Isaac Barré. Wilkes Street in Alexandria, VA also bears his name. American actor and assassin John Wilkes Booth is also an eponym.

Related Topics:
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania - Isaac Barré - John Wilkes Booth

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