John Wilkes

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

Radical journalism

Wilkes was a supporter of William Pitt the Elder. When John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, a fellow member of the Hellfire Club, came to power in 1762 Wilkes started a radical weekly publication, The North Briton, to attack him, using an anti-Scots tone. Bute resigned in 1763, but Wilkes was equally opposed to his successor, George Grenville. He was charged with seditious libel over attacks on the King's speech at the opening of Parliament in issue Number 45 of 23 April 1763. General warrants were issued for the arrest of the publishers and almost fifty people were arrested under the warrants. Wilkes was expelled from the House of Commons on 19 January 1764 and later arrested. He gained considerable popular support and was soon released and restored to his seat. The charges were judged unconstitutional and Wilkes began a case against his arresters for trespass. People were chanting "Wilkes, Liberty and Number 45" from this episode. This referred to Psalm 119:45 of the King James Version of the Bible: "And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed."

Related Topics:
William Pitt the Elder - John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute - 1762 - Radical - The North Briton - 1763 - George Grenville - Libel - 23 April - General warrant - House of Commons - 19 January - 1764 - Psalm - King James Version - Bible

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