Victorian Commons
@victoriancommons.bsky.social
The History of Parliament's House of Commons 1832-1945 project, currently researching MPs, elections and parliamentary history between 1832 and 1868. Find more details on our website: https://victoriancommons.wordpress.com/
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year for 2026! Here's our editor Philip Salmon's review of some of our project highlights of 2025. We look forward to sharing more of our research on 19th century politics and parliamentary history over the coming year...
Happy new year from the History of Parliament!
For our first article of the year, our colleagues @victoriancommons.bsky.social have put together a recap of all of their hard work and research from 2025:
For our first article of the year, our colleagues @victoriancommons.bsky.social have put together a recap of all of their hard work and research from 2025:
historyofparliament.com
January 1, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year for 2026! Here's our editor Philip Salmon's review of some of our project highlights of 2025. We look forward to sharing more of our research on 19th century politics and parliamentary history over the coming year...
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2025 has been a busy year for the History of Parliament. We've got a new look- and a new office!
Find out what else we got up to over the past 12 months in our Review of the Year 2025, written by our engagement manager Connie:
historyofparliament.com?p=19374
Find out what else we got up to over the past 12 months in our Review of the Year 2025, written by our engagement manager Connie:
historyofparliament.com?p=19374
December 29, 2025 at 9:01 AM
2025 has been a busy year for the History of Parliament. We've got a new look- and a new office!
Find out what else we got up to over the past 12 months in our Review of the Year 2025, written by our engagement manager Connie:
historyofparliament.com?p=19374
Find out what else we got up to over the past 12 months in our Review of the Year 2025, written by our engagement manager Connie:
historyofparliament.com?p=19374
The Victorian Commons team are now signing off until the New Year. We would like to wish all our followers a very Merry Christmas!
December 19, 2025 at 5:11 PM
The Victorian Commons team are now signing off until the New Year. We would like to wish all our followers a very Merry Christmas!
It seems appropriate as we start to wind down for the festive season to come across a Mr Sleigh! William Campbell Sleigh was an unsuccessful candidate for the UK Parliament four times in four different constituencies between 1862 and 1870, but was elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly in 1880.
December 19, 2025 at 3:12 PM
It seems appropriate as we start to wind down for the festive season to come across a Mr Sleigh! William Campbell Sleigh was an unsuccessful candidate for the UK Parliament four times in four different constituencies between 1862 and 1870, but was elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly in 1880.
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It's been a busy year for the Georgian Lords: we have been involved with events in #Parliament, a 2-day conference at the University of Worcester, and seen new publications out. All of this alongside continuing to draft entries on the 927 Lords in the current set.
We wish you all a Merry Christmas!
We wish you all a Merry Christmas!
December 19, 2025 at 10:38 AM
It's been a busy year for the Georgian Lords: we have been involved with events in #Parliament, a 2-day conference at the University of Worcester, and seen new publications out. All of this alongside continuing to draft entries on the 927 Lords in the current set.
We wish you all a Merry Christmas!
We wish you all a Merry Christmas!
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Born #OTD 1815, William Schaw Lindsay.
From destitute orphan to shipping tycoon and then MP, Lindsay certainly experienced a remarkable rise. Although his time in the Commons was less spectacular, his outspokenness sometimes frustrated his fellow MPs:
From destitute orphan to shipping tycoon and then MP, Lindsay certainly experienced a remarkable rise. Although his time in the Commons was less spectacular, his outspokenness sometimes frustrated his fellow MPs:
The remarkable rise of William Schaw Lindsay MP (1815-1877) - The History of Parliament
William Schaw Lindsay MP rose from poverty-stricken orphan to shipping tycoon by his late 30s. Lindsay was known for his involvement in the Administrative
historyofparliament.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Born #OTD 1815, William Schaw Lindsay.
From destitute orphan to shipping tycoon and then MP, Lindsay certainly experienced a remarkable rise. Although his time in the Commons was less spectacular, his outspokenness sometimes frustrated his fellow MPs:
From destitute orphan to shipping tycoon and then MP, Lindsay certainly experienced a remarkable rise. Although his time in the Commons was less spectacular, his outspokenness sometimes frustrated his fellow MPs:
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'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens was first published on this day (19 December) in 1843.
Take a peek with us into this 1849 edition of 'A Christmas Carol', with beautiful illustrations by John Leech!
📽️ Reserve 828.8/DIC-13 IS
#OnThisDay #OTD #AChristmasCarol #CharlesDickens #RareBooks
Take a peek with us into this 1849 edition of 'A Christmas Carol', with beautiful illustrations by John Leech!
📽️ Reserve 828.8/DIC-13 IS
#OnThisDay #OTD #AChristmasCarol #CharlesDickens #RareBooks
December 19, 2025 at 10:13 AM
'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens was first published on this day (19 December) in 1843.
Take a peek with us into this 1849 edition of 'A Christmas Carol', with beautiful illustrations by John Leech!
📽️ Reserve 828.8/DIC-13 IS
#OnThisDay #OTD #AChristmasCarol #CharlesDickens #RareBooks
Take a peek with us into this 1849 edition of 'A Christmas Carol', with beautiful illustrations by John Leech!
📽️ Reserve 828.8/DIC-13 IS
#OnThisDay #OTD #AChristmasCarol #CharlesDickens #RareBooks
#OnThisDay 1881 the former Conservative MP for Thirsk, Sir William Payne Gallwey, died from injuries sustained when he fell on to a turnip. Find out more about this and other unusual causes of death among Victorian MPs in our perennially popular post: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2019/12/19/b...
Beware the turnip! Unusual causes of death among Victorian MPs
Our MP of the Month, Sir William Payne Gallwey, died on this day in 1881 after suffering a rather unusual accident… On 19 December 1881 the former Conservative MP for Thirsk, Sir William Payne Gall…
victoriancommons.wordpress.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:16 AM
#OnThisDay 1881 the former Conservative MP for Thirsk, Sir William Payne Gallwey, died from injuries sustained when he fell on to a turnip. Find out more about this and other unusual causes of death among Victorian MPs in our perennially popular post: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2019/12/19/b...
Next in our #1832AtoZ is U, which is for University seats. Find out more about University constituencies in @martinspychal.bsky.social's article on the University of London seat: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2018/11/22/t...
The University of London, representation and the 1867 Reform Act
Last week, as part of UK Parliament Week, we held a special event with the University of London to mark the 150th anniversary of the university returning its first MP to parliament. At the 1868 gen…
victoriancommons.wordpress.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Next in our #1832AtoZ is U, which is for University seats. Find out more about University constituencies in @martinspychal.bsky.social's article on the University of London seat: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2018/11/22/t...
An interesting list, which led us to this fascinating discussion of William Frith's 19th century crowd scenes: artuk.org/discover/sto...
December 17, 2025 at 12:08 PM
An interesting list, which led us to this fascinating discussion of William Frith's 19th century crowd scenes: artuk.org/discover/sto...
#OnThisDay 1847 the Commons resolved that ‘it is expedient to remove all civil disabilities … affecting Her Majesty's subjects of the Jewish religion’. Lionel de Rothschild had been elected for the City of London earlier that year, but was not able to take his seat until 1858.
December 17, 2025 at 10:51 AM
#OnThisDay 1847 the Commons resolved that ‘it is expedient to remove all civil disabilities … affecting Her Majesty's subjects of the Jewish religion’. Lionel de Rothschild had been elected for the City of London earlier that year, but was not able to take his seat until 1858.
The Victorian Commons team enjoyed catching up with Lisa and other friends and colleagues at this event, and it was great to hear our director @jhdavey.bsky.social introduce proceedings with an overview of @histparl.bsky.social's activities in 2025. It has been a busy year!
A packed room for @histparl.bsky.social’s annual lecture!
A great evening and lecture given by Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds on ‘Clement Attlee’s Labour Governments of 1945-51: A Reappraisal'.
A great evening and lecture given by Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds on ‘Clement Attlee’s Labour Governments of 1945-51: A Reappraisal'.
December 17, 2025 at 8:59 AM
The Victorian Commons team enjoyed catching up with Lisa and other friends and colleagues at this event, and it was great to hear our director @jhdavey.bsky.social introduce proceedings with an overview of @histparl.bsky.social's activities in 2025. It has been a busy year!
Reposted by Victorian Commons
Continuing our series on places of significance in labour history, @drdavesteele.bsky.social recalls the long history of extra-parliamentary activity in New Palace Yard, on Parliament’s doorstep.
sslh.org.uk/2025/12/17/n...
sslh.org.uk/2025/12/17/n...
New Palace Yard: a place in labour history
Continuing our series on places of significance in labour history, Dave Steele recalls the long history of extra-parliamentary activity in New Palace Yard, on Parliament’s doorstep. New Palac…
sslh.org.uk
December 17, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Continuing our series on places of significance in labour history, @drdavesteele.bsky.social recalls the long history of extra-parliamentary activity in New Palace Yard, on Parliament’s doorstep.
sslh.org.uk/2025/12/17/n...
sslh.org.uk/2025/12/17/n...
It's the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, which is a good excuse to share our post on her connection with a 19th century MP: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2013/02/14/a...
December 16, 2025 at 2:28 PM
It's the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, which is a good excuse to share our post on her connection with a 19th century MP: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2013/02/14/a...
And even more of our colleagues on the radio...
#HistParl's Dr Alex Beeton was on BBC Radio 4's Today in Parliament on Friday, talking about Christmas in Parliament in 1641- dubbed by one contemporary "the Maddest Christmas that I ever saw!"
You can listen to Alex here: (starting at 22:50)
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
You can listen to Alex here: (starting at 22:50)
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Today in Parliament, 12/12/2025
Alicia McCarthy reports on the assisted dying bill.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 3:44 PM
And even more of our colleagues on the radio...
Great to hear our colleague @emmapeplow.bsky.social in action here!
Following my brilliant colleagues @sclapperton.bsky.social and Melissa Hamnett I’ve been on Matt Chorley 5 Live ‘Made in Stone’ feature the last few Thursdays talking about the busts of Prime Ministers in Members’ Lobby. Last week Neville Chamberlain (starting 1hr 42)
Matt Chorley - Two Lords a Leaping - BBC Sounds
Two of the newest members of the House of Lords, Sanna Marin and 'Spin Class'.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Great to hear our colleague @emmapeplow.bsky.social in action here!
Reposted by Victorian Commons
In December 1832, Daniel Gaskell was elected unopposed for Wakefield, running on a platform of shorter Parliaments, the secret ballot and the abolition of slavery.
Read more about his life and career below:
Read more about his life and career below:
'I have attached myself to no party': Daniel Gaskell and parliamentary life in the 1830s - The History of Parliament
Our Victorian Commons project is shedding new light on the increasingly important role played in the behind-the-scenes business of the post-1832 House of
historyofparliament.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:15 AM
In December 1832, Daniel Gaskell was elected unopposed for Wakefield, running on a platform of shorter Parliaments, the secret ballot and the abolition of slavery.
Read more about his life and career below:
Read more about his life and career below:
#OnThisDay 1832 a general election was under way, with voting in the constituencies spread over several weeks. Find out more about the 19thC electoral process in our article: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2013/08/05/e...
Elections before the secret ballot
This month marks the 141st anniversary of the first use of the secret ballot to elect an MP, at a by-election in the Yorkshire borough of Pontefract. Before the 1872 Ballot Act, and throughout the …
victoriancommons.wordpress.com
December 14, 2025 at 2:06 PM
#OnThisDay 1832 a general election was under way, with voting in the constituencies spread over several weeks. Find out more about the 19thC electoral process in our article: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2013/08/05/e...
Not one but two MPs called Christmas in this thread...
Did you know there was a William Christmas who sat in the 19th century House of Commons?
@victoriancommons.bsky.social explores the Conservative MP for the city of Waterford's career below: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2012/12/20/m...
@victoriancommons.bsky.social explores the Conservative MP for the city of Waterford's career below: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2012/12/20/m...
MP of the month: William Christmas
With the festive season approaching, there could be no more fitting ‘MP of the month’ than William Christmas (c. 1799-1867), Conservative MP for the city of Waterford, 1832-5 and 1841-2…
victoriancommons.wordpress.com
December 13, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Not one but two MPs called Christmas in this thread...
A reminder of this month's new post from our senior research fellow @martinspychal.bsky.social, who continues his series on Peter McLagan, Scotland's first Black MP, with research into McLagan's father: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2025/12/11/p...
Peter McLagan senior (1774-1860): enslaver, plantation owner and landed proprietor
Dr Martin Spychal explores the life of Peter McLagan senior (1774-1860). A farmer’s son from Perthshire, McLagan senior acquired considerable wealth as an enslaver and plantation owner in Demerara …
victoriancommons.wordpress.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:04 PM
A reminder of this month's new post from our senior research fellow @martinspychal.bsky.social, who continues his series on Peter McLagan, Scotland's first Black MP, with research into McLagan's father: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2025/12/11/p...
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Born #OTD 1819, Alfred Rhodes Bristow, MP for Kidderminster.
Dr Stephen Ball wrote about his journey from a Greenwich draper's son to Liberal MP, in this article (previously on @victoriancommons.bsky.social)
Dr Stephen Ball wrote about his journey from a Greenwich draper's son to Liberal MP, in this article (previously on @victoriancommons.bsky.social)
From Greenwich to the green benches: Alfred Rhodes Bristow (1818-1875) - The History of Parliament
Alfred Rhodes Bristow. The son of a Greenwich tradesman, he honed his legal and political skills in municipal politics and election agency before securing a parliamentary seat, which he then readily…
historyofparliament.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Born #OTD 1819, Alfred Rhodes Bristow, MP for Kidderminster.
Dr Stephen Ball wrote about his journey from a Greenwich draper's son to Liberal MP, in this article (previously on @victoriancommons.bsky.social)
Dr Stephen Ball wrote about his journey from a Greenwich draper's son to Liberal MP, in this article (previously on @victoriancommons.bsky.social)
Reposted by Victorian Commons
2/ For more information on the McLagan family, check out Martin's first article on Peter McLagan, MP for Linlithgowshire:
historyofparliament.com/2025/06/12/p...
historyofparliament.com/2025/06/12/p...
Peter McLagan (1823-1900): Scotland’s first Black MP - The History of Parliament
This is the first article in a new series for the Victorian Commons on Peter McLagan (1823-1900), by Dr Martin Spychal, Senior Research Fellow on our House of
historyofparliament.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:26 AM
2/ For more information on the McLagan family, check out Martin's first article on Peter McLagan, MP for Linlithgowshire:
historyofparliament.com/2025/06/12/p...
historyofparliament.com/2025/06/12/p...
Reposted by Victorian Commons
Following on from his article on Peter McLagan, Scotland's first Black MP, Dr Martin Spychal has explored the life of his father, Peter McLagan senior, and his ownership of enslaved people in Demerara (modern-day Guyana):
historyofparliament.com/2025/12/11/p...
historyofparliament.com/2025/12/11/p...
Peter McLagan senior (1774-1860): enslaver, plantation owner and landed proprietor - The History of Parliament
Dr Martin Spychal explores the life of Peter McLagan senior (1774-1860). A farmer’s son from Perthshire, McLagan senior acquired considerable wealth as an enslaver and plantation owner in Demerara…
historyofparliament.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Following on from his article on Peter McLagan, Scotland's first Black MP, Dr Martin Spychal has explored the life of his father, Peter McLagan senior, and his ownership of enslaved people in Demerara (modern-day Guyana):
historyofparliament.com/2025/12/11/p...
historyofparliament.com/2025/12/11/p...
Reposted by Victorian Commons
Although Shirley Brooks of the Punch staff was a Tory he admired Mill's stance on female suffrage, and at Brooks's suggestion John Tenniel drew this mildly satiricial cartoon that appeared in the number for 30 March 1867. babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc...
December 10, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Although Shirley Brooks of the Punch staff was a Tory he admired Mill's stance on female suffrage, and at Brooks's suggestion John Tenniel drew this mildly satiricial cartoon that appeared in the number for 30 March 1867. babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc...
Great to see our colleague @martinspychal.bsky.social's book Mapping the State reviewed by Matthew Roberts as 'a work of impressive scholarship which deserves to be widely read'. Mapping the State is available on Open Access here: uolpress.co.uk/book/mapping...
December 10, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Great to see our colleague @martinspychal.bsky.social's book Mapping the State reviewed by Matthew Roberts as 'a work of impressive scholarship which deserves to be widely read'. Mapping the State is available on Open Access here: uolpress.co.uk/book/mapping...