Corn Laws Collection

Portrait of John Bright, 19th century (engraving)
3521655 Portrait of John Bright, 19th century (engraving); (add.info.: Portrait of John Bright (1811-1889) a British Radical and Liberal statesman

The Right Hon. W. G. Hayter, Q.C. M.P. for Wells, 1850. Creator: Unknown
The Right Hon. W. G. Hayter, Q.C. M.P. for Wells, 1850. Portrait from a photograph by Beard, of British politician and lawyer William Goodenough Hayter, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury

Sir Robert Peel announcing his conversion to free trade principles during the debate on the Corn Laws in the House of
6033024 Sir Robert Peel announcing his conversion to free trade principles during the debate on the Corn Laws in the House of Commons, Westminster, 22 January 1846 (photogravure) by Wilson

Bread riot at the entrance to the House of Commons, 1815 (engraving)
3245399 Bread riot at the entrance to the House of Commons, 1815 (engraving) by British School, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark Pictures

The Royal Assent given to Corn Law Repeal (engraving)
1594198 The Royal Assent given to Corn Law Repeal (engraving) by Gilbert, John (1817-97) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Royal Assent given to Corn Law Repeal)

Punch cartoon: The Red Farmer (engraving)
6034632 Punch cartoon: The Red Farmer (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Punch cartoon: The Red Farmer)

Meeting of the Anti-Corn-Law League in Manchester (engraving)
655378 Meeting of the Anti-Corn-Law League in Manchester (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Meeting of the Anti-Corn-Law League in Manchester)

The Ghost of Protection appearing to Mr Disraeli (engraving)
2777173 The Ghost of Protection appearing to Mr Disraeli (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Ghost of Protection appearing to Mr Disraeli)

Repeal of the Corn Tax, 1846 (colour litho)
3621864 Repeal of the Corn Tax, 1846 (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Repeal of the Corn Tax, 1846)

John Bright, British Radical and Liberal statesman (litho)
3100158 John Bright, British Radical and Liberal statesman (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: John Bright (1811-1889), British Radical and Liberal statesman

John Bright, British Radical and Liberal politician (engraving)
972354 John Bright, British Radical and Liberal politician (engraving) by Chappel, Alonzo (1828-87) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: John Bright (1811-1889)

The Looking Glass, No 12 (colour litho)
2818128 The Looking Glass, No 12 (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Looking Glass, No 12.); © Look and Learn

Carrying Bread to London on Pack-Horses (engraving)
2781652 Carrying Bread to London on Pack-Horses (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Carrying Bread to London on Pack-Horses)

Bread riot at the entrance to the House of Commons, 1815 (engraving)
583086 Bread riot at the entrance to the House of Commons, 1815 (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bread riot at the entrance to the House of Commons)

Richard Cobden, English politician (chromolitho)
1094272 Richard Cobden, English politician (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Richard Cobden (1804-1865), English politician

The Royal Assent given by Commission to the New Corn Bill, in the House of Lords, Friday, 26 June 1846 (engraving)
1617184 The Royal Assent given by Commission to the New Corn Bill, in the House of Lords, Friday, 26 June 1846 (engraving) by English School

Richard Cobden, British manufacturer and Liberal politician (litho)
3100139 Richard Cobden, British manufacturer and Liberal politician (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Richard Cobden (1804-1865)

The Looking Glass, No 10 (colour litho)
2818121 The Looking Glass, No 10 (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Looking Glass, No 10.); © Look and Learn

Sir Robert Peel
LLM455949 Sir Robert Peel by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sir Robert Peel. Illustration from History of England by Henry Tyrrell (c 1860).); © Look and Learn

Meting of the Anti-Corn Law League in Exeter Hall, London, 1846 (engraving)
5208104 Meting of the Anti-Corn Law League in Exeter Hall, London, 1846 (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Corn-Laws, 1845. Creator: Unknown
The Corn-Laws, 1845. Descriptive History of the Laws relative to the Importation and Exportation of Corn. Article discussing the the Corn Laws

William Huskisson, c1810, (c1884). Creator: Unknown
William Huskisson, c1810, (c1884). William Huskisson (1770- 1830) British statesman, financier and MP during reign of George IV. Educated at Appleby Grammar School

Richard Cobden, c1850, (c1884). Creator: Unknown
Richard Cobden, c1850, (c1884). Richard Cobden (1804-1865) English manufacturer, Radical and Liberal statesman, educated locally with further study at the London Institution

House of Commons, 1846: Robert Peel announcing his Conversion to Free Trade Principles
The House of Commons in 1846: Sir Robert Peel announcing his Conversion to Free Trade Principles during the Corn Law Debate, January 22, (1901)

Charles Pelham Villiers, British politician and President of the Poor Law Board, c1844 (c1890)
Charles Pelham Villiers (1802-1898), British politician and President of the Poor Law Board, c1844 (c1890). From " Cassells History of England - Special Edition, Vol

Scene in the House of Commons, London, 22 January 1846 (1901). Sir Robert Peel (1788-1850) announcing His conversion to Free Trade principles during the Corn Law debate

John Bright, British Radical and Liberal politician, 1869. Artist: Carlo Pellegrini
John Bright, British Radical and Liberal politician, 1869. Will the Sentimental Orator be Lost in the Practical Minister, or Will Both be Extinguished?

A meeting of the Anti-Corn Law League in Drury Lane Theatre, London, 1838 (c1895). From Cassells Illustrated History of England, volume VII (c1895)

A meeting of the Anti-Corn Law League in Newalls Building, Manchester, 1838 (c1895). From Cassells Illustrated History of England, volume VII (c1895)

A Kingdom, 19th century. Artist: Alfred Crowquill
A Kingdom, 19th century. Cartoon depicting the king (either George IV or his successor William IV) chained by his duties and burdened with the political issues of the day

Lord George Bentinck, (1802-1848), 19th century. Bentinck was an English Conservative politician and racehorse owner. He is best known for his part in the unseating of Sir Robert Peel over the Corn

George Wilson, 19th century. Wilson (1808-1870) was Chairman of the Anti-Corn Law league. Illustration from The life and times of Queen Victoria, by Robert Wilson, (1900)

Lord John Manners, 7th Duke of Rutland, 1878. Artist: Lock & Whitfield
Lord John Manners, 7th Duke of Rutland, 1878. Manners was also a Conservative MP for Newark. He opposed the reapeal of the Corn Laws

Right Hon John Bright, MP for Birmingham, 1876. Artist: Lock & Whitfield
Right Hon John Bright, MP for Birmingham, 1876. Earlier in his political career, Bright was one of the founders of the Anti-Corn Law League

Lord George Cavendish Bentinck, English statesman and sportsman, c1840s. Artist: J B Hunt
Lord George Cavendish Bentinck, English statesman and sportsman, c1840s. Lord George Bentinck (1802-1848) was an English Conservative politician and racehorse owner

Richard Cobden, British politician, economist and Lancashire calico manufacturer, c1870. Described as the Apostle of Free Trade

The Pillar of the State, or John Bull Overloaded, after Cruikshank in 1819
BAL75679 " The Pillar of the State, or John Bull Overloaded", after Cruikshank in 1819, 1827 (engraving) (see 22565) by Heath, Henry (fl.1824-35); Private Collection; English

The modern Ophelia, or The Doomed one, 1845 (lithograph)
XJF2920770 The modern Ophelia, or The Doomed one, 1845 (lithograph) by Doyle, Richard (1824-83); Private Collection; (add.info.: Anthony Ashley Cooper (1801-85) seventh earl of Shaftesbury

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"The Battle for Bread: The Rise and Fall of the Corn Laws" In the heart of Westminster, on January 22, 1846, Sir Robert Peel made a historic announcement that would forever change British trade policies. In a momentous debate on the Corn Laws in the House of Commons, he declared his conversion to free trade principles. This photogravure captures the intensity and significance of that pivotal moment. But this was not the first time bread had become a symbol of discontent. Decades earlier, in 1815, an engraving depicted a violent bread riot at the entrance to the House of Commons. Hungry and desperate citizens demanded relief from soaring food prices caused by protectionist measures. The struggle against these laws reached its climax with another engraving showcasing The Royal Assent given to Corn Law Repeal. It marked a triumph for those who fought tirelessly for economic liberation and fair access to affordable grain. Punch magazine added its satirical touch through "The Red Farmer" cartoon. It humorously portrayed farmers clinging onto outdated protectionism while progress passed them by. Meanwhile, in Manchester, members gathered fervently at meetings organized by the Anti-Corn-Law League. These engravings captured their determination as they strategized ways to dismantle barriers impeding agricultural imports. Even after repeal seemed imminent, opposition remained strong. An eerie engraving titled "The Ghost of Protection appearing to Mr Disraeli" highlighted resistance from staunch defenders unwilling to accept change. Finally, in 1846 came another significant milestone – "Repeal of the Corn Tax. " A vibrant color lithograph celebrated this victory over protective tariffs that had burdened consumers for far too long. Amongst those leading this charge was John Bright – both a radical and liberal statesman whose relentless efforts paved the way towards economic freedom for all Britons. His image appears both in lithographs and engravings as testament to his influential role.