BURDETT, SIR FRANCIS (177o-1844), English politi cian, was born on Jan. 25, 17 70. He was in Paris during the earlier days of the French Revolution, a visit which doubtless influenced his political opinions. Returning to England he mar ried in 1793 Sophia the enormously rich daughter of Thomas Coutts the banker. In 1796 he became member of parliament for Boroughbridge, having purchased this seat from the repre sentatives of the 4th duke of Newcastle, and in 1797 succeeded his grandfather as fifth baronet. In parliament he denounced the war with France, the suspension of the Habeas Corpus act, the proposed exclusion of John Horne Tooke from parliament, and quickly became the idol of the people. He was instrumental in securing an enquiry into the condition of Coldbath Fields prison, but as a result of this step he was for a time prevented by the government from visiting any prison in the kingdom. Between 1 802 and 1 805 he twice took his seat for Middlesex and was twice unseated. In 1806 he was wounded in a duel with James Paull, radical candidate for Westminster. In 1807 Burdett, in spite of his reluctance, was elected for Westminster. He took up again his work of attacking abuses and agitating for reform, and in 1810 came sharply into collision with the House of Com mons. A radical named John Gale Jones had been committed to prison by the House, a proceeding which was denounced by Burdett, who questioned the power of the House to take this step. A revised edition of his speech on this occasion was pub lished by William Cobbett in the Weekly Register. The House voted this action a breach of privilege, and the speaker issued a warrant for Burdett's arrest. Barring himself in his house, he defied the authorities, while the Londoners gathered in his de fence. Preparations, including a large supply of gunpowder, were made for fierce conflict with the authorities, which it was suggested Lord Cochrane would conduct. Sir Francis, however, refused to countenance armed conflict, and permitted the entry of the government troops. The soldiers marched into his room where he was discovered instructing his son in the Latin of Magna Carta; they surrounded him and conveyed him dramatically to the Tower. Released when parliament was prorogued, he caused his supporters much disappointment by returning to Westminster by water, and so avoiding a demonstration in his honour. He then brought actions against the Speaker and the serjeant-at arms, but the courts upheld the action of the House. In parlia ment Burdett denounced corporal punishment in the army, and supported all attempts to check corruption, but his principal efforts were directed towards procuring a reform of parliament, and the removal of Roman Catholic disabilities. In 1809, 1817 and 1818, he in vain pressed for parliamentary reform, and in 1825, 1827 and 1828 continued his efforts on behalf of the Roman Catholics, which were successful in 1829. In 1820 Burdett se verely censured the government's action at Peterloo (q.v.) ; he was prosecuted at Leicester assizes, fined f 1,000, and committed to prison for three months. Long before the passing of the Re form Bill of 1832 Sir Francis' zeal for reform and his enthusiasm for extirpating abuses had diminished. He separated himself from the reformers in personal intercourse and lost the confidence of his one-time colleagues. In 1837 he left Westminster and was elected for North Wiltshire. Thereafter he voted and worked with the Conservatives in Parliament until his death on Jan. 23,