John Bright, UK (1811-1889)
Radical British statesman and orator, born in Rochdale, UK. Bright was active in the early Victorian campaigns for free trade and lower grain prices (he was co-founder of the Anti-Corn Law League), as well as campaigns for parliamentary reform. When the Anti Corn-Law League was formed in 1839 he was a leading member, and engaged in free trade agitation throughout the country. In 1843 he became a member of parliament and strongly opposed the corn laws until they were repealed.
His name is closely associated with the Reform Act of 1867 which extended the vote. During the second half of 1866 Bright found himself the hero and chief mouthpiece of the reformers, accepted alike by those who demanded universal suffrage and those who wanted more limited reform. He accepted office as President of the Board of Trade (1868), and returned in 1881 as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.