JOHN BRIGHT
\d͡ʒˈɒn bɹˈa͡ɪt], \dʒˈɒn bɹˈaɪt], \dʒ_ˈɒ_n b_ɹ_ˈaɪ_t]\
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An English statesman; born near Rochdale in Lancashire, Nov. 16, 1811; died March 27, 1889. The son of a wealthy Quaker cotton manufacturer, after his father's death his brother's generously sharing the profits of the business with him enabled him to remain in public life. In early life he began to take an active part in social and political reform. He entered Parliament in 1843, and voted for repeal of the Corn Laws and for factory regulation. He sympathized with the North in the Civil War. He first entered the government in 1868, as president of the Board of Trade. Thereafter he held office under every Liberal administration till 1882. He was an eloquent and impressive orator. His speeches and addresses were published in successive volumes, 1867-69-79, and his "Public Letters" in 1885.
By Charles Dudley Warner
Word of the day
Snake's-head
- Guinea-hen flower; -- so called in England because its spotted petals resemble the scales of a snake's head.