GIBSON, THOMAS MILNER (1806-84), English poli tician, was born in Trinidad, where his father, an officer in the army, was serving. As one of Cobden's chief allies, he was elected for Manchester in 1841, and from 1846 to 1848 he was vice-president of the board of trade in Lord John Russell's minis try; he sat in the cabinets from 18S9 to 1866 as president of the board of trade. He was the leading spirit in the movement f or the repeal of "taxes on knowledge," and his successful efforts on behalf of journalism and advertising were recognized by a public testimonial in 1862. He retired from political life in 1868, but he and his wife, whose salon was a great Liberal centre, were for many years very influential in society.