FAWCETT, Henry, English economist: b. Salisbury, 25 Aug. 1833; d. Cambridge, 6 Nov. 1884. He was educated at King's Col lege School and at Cambridge University. In 1858 he was suddenly deprived of his eyesight by an accidental shot from a gun in his father's hand. This misfortune did not deter him from a public career, he walked, rode, skated and fished and studied music. In 1863 he published a 'Manual of Political Economy,' which went through several editions. In 1863 he was made professor of political economy at Cambridge. He was elected to Parliament in 1865 as an ad vanced Liberal and advocated many reform measures. He devoted much time to the study of Indian finance, which he regarded as the key to successful government in India. Fawcett fought for a thorough housecleaning in Indian finances and overcame strong official opposi tion. He was defeated at the election of 1874, but was soon after returned for Hackney. He
became postmaster-general in Gladstone's Cabinet in 1880, where his administration was most successful. He wrote 'Economic Posi tion of the British ; 'Essays and Lectures on Social Subjects' (1872) ; 'Speeches on Some Current Political Questions) (1873) ; 'Free Trade and Protec (1878) ; Finance' (1880). He was one of that school of economists inclined in the direction of emphasizing individual liberty and limiting the interference of the state, although he was willing enough that the state should endeavor to elicit thrift and self-help through the medium of the post office, or protect the interests of those who could not defend them selves, such as children who needed education, or agricultural laborers who were deprived of commons. Consult biography by Sir Leslie Stephen (London 1885).