Thomas Attwood (1783-1856), a Birmingham banker, played a prominent role in many of the important controversies in England during the first half of the nineteenth century. He wrote and published extensively, appeared as a witness before three Parliamentary committees, held a seat in the House of Commons for seven years, and earned a reputation as one of the most accomplished out-door orators of the time. In 1830-32 his leadership of the middle and working classes in the provinces allowed him to negotiate directly with the government on the question of parliamentary reform. Attwood was...