COBDEN, RICHARD, an English poli tician, the "Apostle of Free Trade," born in Sussex, June 3, 1804. After receiving a meager education he was taken as an apprentice into a warehouse in London where he made up for the defects of his education by diligent self-tuition. In 1830 along with some relatives he started a cotton manufactory in Manchester, which in a few years was very successful. His first political writing was a pamphlet on England, Ireland, and America, which was followed by another on Russia. In these he advocated non-intervention in the disputes of other nations, and main taining it to be the foreign policy of Eng land to increase and strengthen her con nections with foreign countries in the way of trade and peaceful intercourse. Having joined the Anti-Corn-Law League, formed in 1838, it was chiefly his efforts, together with Bright and other zealous fellow-workers, which won victory for the movement.
In 1841 Cobden entered Parliament as member for Stockport, and after several years' effort induced Sir Robert Peel, then prime minister, to bring in a bill for the repeal of the corn laws in 1846. Next year he was chosen member for the West Riding of York, a constituency which Ira represented for 10 years. His business had suffered while he devoted himself to the agitation, and as a compensation a national subscription was made, and a sum of about $350,000 presented to him. In 1859 he was chosen member for Roch dale and declined, for the second time, a place in the government. He refused also a baronetcy and several other dig nities. His last great work was the commercial treaty which he was the means of bringing about between Great Britain and France in 1860. He died in London, April 2, 1865.