Richard Cobden (1804–65) was a prominent British politician, economist, and advocate of free trade. He played a pivotal role in shaping 19th-century British politics and had a lasting impact on the development of international trade and diplomacy.
Born in Heyshott, West Sussex, England, Cobden’s early life was marked by humble beginnings. As a young man, he worked in his family’s business before starting a successful career in the textile industry. His experiences in trade gave him firsthand knowledge of the detrimental effects of protectionism and tariffs, fueling his commitment to free trade principles.
In the 1840s, Cobden became a leading figure in the Anti-Corn Law League, a movement dedicated to abolishing tariffs on imported grain. His passionate speeches and persuasive arguments earned him widespread support. In 1846, the Corn Laws were repealed, heralding a new era of free trade in Britain.
Cobden’s international influence grew as he advocated for free trade agreements with other nations. He was crucial in negotiating the Cobden-Chevalier Treaty with France in 1860, significantly reducing trade barriers between the two countries.
Beyond his economic pursuits, Cobden was a staunch advocate of peace and diplomacy. He firmly believed in non-interventionism and promoted peaceful resolutions to international conflicts. His ideals and efforts laid the groundwork for future movements and organizations dedicated to international cooperation and diplomacy.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Richard Cobden
A newspaper should be the maximum of information, and the minimum of comment.
—Richard Cobden
The progress of freedom depends more upon the maintenance of peace, the spread of commerce, and the diffusion of education, than upon the labors of cabinets and foreign offices.
—Richard Cobden
Topics: Freedom
You have no security for a man who has no religious principle.
—Richard Cobden
Topics: Religion
I consider the temperanced cause the foundation of all social and political reform.
—Richard Cobden
Luck is always waiting for something to turn up. Labor, with keen eyes and strong will, always turns up something. Luck lies in bed and wishes the postman will bring news of a legacy. Labor turns out at six o’clock and with busy pen or ringing hammer, lays the foundation of a competence. Luck whines. Labor whistles. Luck relies on chance, labor on character.
—Richard Cobden
Topics: Integrity, Live, Work, Self Confidence, Romance, Luck, Labor, General, Lies, Chance, Balance, Awareness, Greatness, Graduation, Self-Discovery, Power, Character, Confidence, Society
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