Cobden, Richard. An eminent British politician and reformer. Born at Dunford, in Sussex, in June, 1804. His early life was spent in connection with manufacturing industry at Manchester. It was not until the year 1837, when he successfully contested the borough of Stockport, that he became publicly known. In 1838 the anti-corn-law agitation commenced, and in the cause of free trade, Cobden took the foremost rank until the accomplishment of its principles in 1846. Shortly afterwards, a public subscription was raised, and the handsome sum of £75,000 was contributed, as a testimonial of his countrymen to the unwearied exertions of Cobden. He represented the West Riding of Yorkshire until 1857 and, in 1860, succeeded, with M. Chevalier in completing a free-trade treaty between France and Great Britain. He died on April 2, 1865.

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