​BRIGHT, JOHN (1811–1889)

Born Nov. 16, 1811: son of Jacob Bright, of Rochdale: educated there and at Ackworth, York, Newton: joined his father in managing mills, travelled, and entered politics: co-operated with Cobden against the Corn Laws: M.P. for Durham, 1843; for Manchester, 1847, 1852; for Birmingham, 1857–85: in his political life he paid special attention to India: in 1848, was Chairman of the Committee, for which he moved, to inquire into the obstacles to the cultivation of cotton in India: helped to raise a fund for a private Commission of inquiry: opposed the renewal of the Charter of the E. I. Co. in 1853: spoke, 1853, strongly in favour of making the Government of India a Department of the Government, with a Minister of State and a Council: in the discussions on the transfer of the Government of India to the Crown, in 1858, and again in 1879, he advocated a policy of decentralization, by the substitution of federated Provincial Governments for a Central Government: urged, in 1859, the reduction of military expenditure in India: declined to be Secretary of State for India, 1868, being unwilling, as a Quaker, to be mixed up with military matters: advocated developments of India by public works and canals, 1878–9: spoke against the Afghan war of 1878–80: D.C.L., 1886: died March 27, 1889: his general career in Parliament, his share in English politics, and his eloquent speeches, need not be dwelt upon here.