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/
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In our latest article, Dr Kathryn Rix has looked at the 23 MPs commemorated in the Commons chamber who died during the Second World War.
Their biographies written by #HistParl are now accessible on Parliament's website, links to which you can find in Dr Rix's article below:
Their biographies written by #HistParl are now accessible on Parliament's website, links to which you can find in Dr Rix's article below:
MPs and the Second World War - The History of Parliament
Ahead of Remembrance Day, and with 2025 marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War, Dr Kathryn Rix, Assistant Editor of our House of Commons,
historyofparliament.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:30 AM
In our latest article, Dr Kathryn Rix has looked at the 23 MPs commemorated in the Commons chamber who died during the Second World War.
Their biographies written by #HistParl are now accessible on Parliament's website, links to which you can find in Dr Rix's article below:
Their biographies written by #HistParl are now accessible on Parliament's website, links to which you can find in Dr Rix's article below:
Reposted by Victorian Commons
Chloe Mawson has been appointed the 66th Clerk of the Parliaments and is the first woman to take up the post.
The Clerk of the Parliaments is head of the House of Lords Administration and Chief Procedural Adviser to the House.
The Clerk of the Parliaments is head of the House of Lords Administration and Chief Procedural Adviser to the House.
November 10, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Chloe Mawson has been appointed the 66th Clerk of the Parliaments and is the first woman to take up the post.
The Clerk of the Parliaments is head of the House of Lords Administration and Chief Procedural Adviser to the House.
The Clerk of the Parliaments is head of the House of Lords Administration and Chief Procedural Adviser to the House.
William Wilshere, who died #OnThisDay 1867, found himself facing a possible challenge to a duel after being elected for Great Yarmouth without his consent in 1838. Find out more about events in this corrupt borough: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2020/12/16/e...
Elected without his consent: William Wilshere (1804-67) and the venal electors of Great Yarmouth
The huge financial cost of Victorian elections, especially in venal constituencies, has been a recurrent theme in some of our more recent blogs. It’s tempting to think of the MPs associated w…
victoriancommons.wordpress.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:38 AM
William Wilshere, who died #OnThisDay 1867, found himself facing a possible challenge to a duel after being elected for Great Yarmouth without his consent in 1838. Find out more about events in this corrupt borough: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2020/12/16/e...
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#OTD 1831: Birth of Henry Labouchere, writer, publisher, theatre owner and radical Liberal MP for Windsor 1865-66, Middlesex 1867-68 and Northampton 1880-1906. Born into a Hugenot family and nephew of the prominent Whig politician, Labouchere often cut a controversial figure.🧵
November 9, 2025 at 4:30 PM
#OTD 1831: Birth of Henry Labouchere, writer, publisher, theatre owner and radical Liberal MP for Windsor 1865-66, Middlesex 1867-68 and Northampton 1880-1906. Born into a Hugenot family and nephew of the prominent Whig politician, Labouchere often cut a controversial figure.🧵
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In November 1867, Lily Maxwell, a Manchester shopkeeper, voted in a parliamentary by-election.
But how was she able to vote in an election more than fifty years before the partial enfranchisement of women in 1918? Dr Kathryn Rix explains:
But how was she able to vote in an election more than fifty years before the partial enfranchisement of women in 1918? Dr Kathryn Rix explains:
‘A woman actually voted!’: Lily Maxwell and the Manchester by-election of November 1867 - The History of Parliament
More than half a century before the partial enfranchisement of women in 1918, Lily Maxwell, a Manchester shopkeeper, cast a parliamentary vote. Dr Kathryn Rix
historyofparliament.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM
In November 1867, Lily Maxwell, a Manchester shopkeeper, voted in a parliamentary by-election.
But how was she able to vote in an election more than fifty years before the partial enfranchisement of women in 1918? Dr Kathryn Rix explains:
But how was she able to vote in an election more than fifty years before the partial enfranchisement of women in 1918? Dr Kathryn Rix explains:
Following up on our post on resources, this is great news!
Our database of Queen Victoria's Journals is now back online and available to internet users in the UK: www.proquest.com/qvj/?account....
www.proquest.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Following up on our post on resources, this is great news!
In our #1832AtoZ R is also for our Resources page. This has links to many free to access resources for 19th century British history, from Hansard debates to maps. We’ve checked all the links today, but if anything is missing or broken, let us know! victoriancommons.wordpress.com/resources
Resources
In researching the careers of MPs who sat in the Commons between 1832 and 1868, and the electoral histories of the constituencies they represented, we make extensive use of online resources. On thi…
victoriancommons.wordpress.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:08 PM
In our #1832AtoZ R is also for our Resources page. This has links to many free to access resources for 19th century British history, from Hansard debates to maps. We’ve checked all the links today, but if anything is missing or broken, let us know! victoriancommons.wordpress.com/resources
Reposted by Victorian Commons
Ahead of Remembrance Day this Sunday, and with 2025 marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War, Dr Kathryn Rix has looked at the 23 MPs commemorated in the Commons chamber who died during the Second World War: historyofparliament.com/2025/11/07/m...
MPs and the Second World War - The History of Parliament
Ahead of Remembrance Day, and with 2025 marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War, Dr Kathryn Rix, Assistant Editor of our House of Commons,
historyofparliament.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Ahead of Remembrance Day this Sunday, and with 2025 marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War, Dr Kathryn Rix has looked at the 23 MPs commemorated in the Commons chamber who died during the Second World War: historyofparliament.com/2025/11/07/m...
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The Worshipful Company of Curriers essay prize on London for early career scholars, in association with The London Journal Trust and the Institute of Historical Research.
The author of the winning submission will receive £1,000, and publication, subject to peer review, in The London Journal.
The author of the winning submission will receive £1,000, and publication, subject to peer review, in The London Journal.
Curriers' Essay Prize | The London Journal
The author of the winning submission will receive £1,000, and publication, subject to peer review, in The London Journal. Other promising entries may also be considered for publication.
www.thelondonjournal.org
November 7, 2025 at 9:50 AM
The Worshipful Company of Curriers essay prize on London for early career scholars, in association with The London Journal Trust and the Institute of Historical Research.
The author of the winning submission will receive £1,000, and publication, subject to peer review, in The London Journal.
The author of the winning submission will receive £1,000, and publication, subject to peer review, in The London Journal.
Reposted by Victorian Commons
Transcript of the newspaper report of his funeral including the huge list of mourners lostcambridge.wordpress.com/2018/08/06/t... #LostCambridge 1884
The funeral of Prof Henry Fawcett at Trumpington, Cambridge, 1884.
Summary: One of the most influential men to live and work in Cambridge was the husband of Millicent Garrett Fawcett, Prof Henry Fawcett. Despite being blinded in a shooting accident, he rose to ach…
lostcambridge.wordpress.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Transcript of the newspaper report of his funeral including the huge list of mourners lostcambridge.wordpress.com/2018/08/06/t... #LostCambridge 1884
Died #OnThisDay 1884 Henry Fawcett, the first completely blind MP. He sat as a Liberal for Brighton 1865-74, & Hackney 1874-84. For more on him & the wife, the leading suffragist, Millicent Garrett Fawcett, see our earlier post: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2018/07/19/m...
MP of the Month: Henry Fawcett (1833-84)
Continuing our recent focus on the personalities and campaigns associated with ‘votes for women’, our MP of the Month highlights the remarkable career of Henry Fawcett, husband of the leading suffr…
victoriancommons.wordpress.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Died #OnThisDay 1884 Henry Fawcett, the first completely blind MP. He sat as a Liberal for Brighton 1865-74, & Hackney 1874-84. For more on him & the wife, the leading suffragist, Millicent Garrett Fawcett, see our earlier post: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2018/07/19/m...
Very interesting article from our colleague @georgianlords.bsky.social thinking about commemorations.
Many will be awaking this morning after an evening of fireworks and festivities.
However, as Dr Robin Eagles has explored, on the centenery of the Glorious Revolution, the 4th and 5th November were eyed for a different lasting memorial:
historyofparliament.com/2025/11/06/c...
However, as Dr Robin Eagles has explored, on the centenery of the Glorious Revolution, the 4th and 5th November were eyed for a different lasting memorial:
historyofparliament.com/2025/11/06/c...
‘Confirmation of the People’s Rights’: commemorating the ‘Glorious Revolution’ of 1688 - The History of Parliament
For many, the beginning of November means the advent of longer nights as the year winds down to Christmas. Some may still enjoy attending firework displays
historyofparliament.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Very interesting article from our colleague @georgianlords.bsky.social thinking about commemorations.
Reposted by Victorian Commons
On 11 November, Steven Spencer of Birkbeck, University of London, will be speaking at the next IHR Parliaments, Politics & People Seminar, where he will be presenting on 'The campaign to pass the Criminal Law Amendment Bill'
Find out more about his paper and how to attend below:
buff.ly/OTB2wDo
Find out more about his paper and how to attend below:
buff.ly/OTB2wDo
'Abominable, unutterable, and worse than fables': the campaign to pass the Criminal Law Amendment Bill - The History of Parliament
Steven Spencer of Birkbeck, University of London, will be discussing the campaign to pass the 1885 Criminal Law Amendment Act.
historyofparliament.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:31 AM
On 11 November, Steven Spencer of Birkbeck, University of London, will be speaking at the next IHR Parliaments, Politics & People Seminar, where he will be presenting on 'The campaign to pass the Criminal Law Amendment Bill'
Find out more about his paper and how to attend below:
buff.ly/OTB2wDo
Find out more about his paper and how to attend below:
buff.ly/OTB2wDo
Reposted by Victorian Commons
Pakenham was one of two of the sons of Hon. Hercules Pakenham, a former MP for Westmeath, to be killed in action. His brother, Robert, died at Lucknow in 1857.
November 5, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Pakenham was one of two of the sons of Hon. Hercules Pakenham, a former MP for Westmeath, to be killed in action. His brother, Robert, died at Lucknow in 1857.
Having had a narrow escape at the Battle of the Alma, Edward Pakenham, Conservative MP for Co Antrim, died #OnThisDay 1854 after sustaining a fatal injury at the Battle of Inkerman. He was one of several Irish MPs to serve in the Crimean War: thehistoryofparliament.wordpress.com/2018/06/26/i...
Irish MPs and the Crimean War 1853-1856 - The History of Parliament
This week at the History of Parliament we are sharing the military history of Parliament through parliamentarians and their military careers in honour of
thehistoryofparliament.wordpress.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Having had a narrow escape at the Battle of the Alma, Edward Pakenham, Conservative MP for Co Antrim, died #OnThisDay 1854 after sustaining a fatal injury at the Battle of Inkerman. He was one of several Irish MPs to serve in the Crimean War: thehistoryofparliament.wordpress.com/2018/06/26/i...
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In Archives Week in 2021, the Peoples Collection of Wales placed on-line a very large number of documents relating to what happened on the day and subsequent trials... now been transcribed and versions can be read more easily
www.peoplescollection.wales/users/10004
A remarkable resource. #Chartism
www.peoplescollection.wales/users/10004
A remarkable resource. #Chartism
November 4, 2025 at 8:59 PM
In Archives Week in 2021, the Peoples Collection of Wales placed on-line a very large number of documents relating to what happened on the day and subsequent trials... now been transcribed and versions can be read more easily
www.peoplescollection.wales/users/10004
A remarkable resource. #Chartism
www.peoplescollection.wales/users/10004
A remarkable resource. #Chartism
Ready and waiting to meet people at #HistDay25.
November 4, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Ready and waiting to meet people at #HistDay25.
Members of the Victorian Commons team will be on the #HistParl stand from 11-11:45 and 2-2:45 for all your 19th century history needs, and other brilliant colleagues will also be on hand throughout the day!
Come and say hello to the #HistParl team at History Day next week! We're excited to talk about our research and catch up with new and old friends working in the sector.
Find out more via @ihr.bsky.social #HistDay25
Find out more via @ihr.bsky.social #HistDay25
1 week to go until History Day - don't forget to sign up! Read about why History Day is such a fantastic event in this blog by Claire Langhamer: buff.ly/ySfBuWR
#HistDay25 @senatehouselib.bsky.social
#HistDay25 @senatehouselib.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Members of the Victorian Commons team will be on the #HistParl stand from 11-11:45 and 2-2:45 for all your 19th century history needs, and other brilliant colleagues will also be on hand throughout the day!
Reposted by Victorian Commons
#OTD 1839, government forces and Welsh Chartists clashed during the Newport Rising, now remembered as an iconic moment in the struggle for democratic rights in Britain. Find out more via Dr Philip Salmon's #HistParl article from 2019.
Parliament versus the People: the Newport rising of 1839 - The History of Parliament
Today marks the 180th anniversary of the Newport rising when government forces and Welsh Chartists clashed in the town of Newport. Here's Dr Philip Salmon,
historyofparliament.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:30 AM
John Walter (b. 1818) followed in his father’s footsteps as proprietor of The Times and as an MP. He represented Nottingham, 1847-59, and Berkshire, 1859-65 & 1868-85. He died #OnThisDay 1894. Read more on his dual role here: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2012/11/29/p...
Politicians and the press: the case of John Walter, Member of Parliament and owner of The Times
This is the first in our series of ‘MP of the Month’ blog posts, where we look in more detail at backbench politicians whose careers shed light on the history of the Commons between 1832 and 1868. …
victoriancommons.wordpress.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:24 AM
John Walter (b. 1818) followed in his father’s footsteps as proprietor of The Times and as an MP. He represented Nottingham, 1847-59, and Berkshire, 1859-65 & 1868-85. He died #OnThisDay 1894. Read more on his dual role here: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2012/11/29/p...
Born #OnThisDay 1801, John Lloyd Davies rose from humble origins, aided by his wife, to become MP for Cardigan Boroughs in 1855. Find out more about his life and parliamentary career in our blog: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2017/01/30/m...
MP of the Month: From pot boy to parliamentarian – John Lloyd Davies (1801-60)
Of all the ‘self-made’ men who made the mid-nineteenth century House of Commons distinct from earlier periods, few can have begun life in such humble circumstances as John Lloyd Davies,…
victoriancommons.wordpress.com
November 1, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Born #OnThisDay 1801, John Lloyd Davies rose from humble origins, aided by his wife, to become MP for Cardigan Boroughs in 1855. Find out more about his life and parliamentary career in our blog: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2017/01/30/m...
Died #OnThisDay 1854 Benjamin Rotch, MP for Knaresborough 1832-5. He was also a lawyer, inventor, teetotaller & cab proprietor, & challenged the lord major of London to a duel. More on this eclectic career here: historyofparliament.com/2025/08/31/l...
From patent laws and prison reform to a threatened duel: the intriguing life of Benjamin Rotch MP - The History of Parliament
Untangling the eclectic career of Benjamin Rotch (1793-1854), Whig MP for Knaresborough, 1832-5, proved to be an extremely interesting piece of research for
historyofparliament.com
October 31, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Died #OnThisDay 1854 Benjamin Rotch, MP for Knaresborough 1832-5. He was also a lawyer, inventor, teetotaller & cab proprietor, & challenged the lord major of London to a duel. More on this eclectic career here: historyofparliament.com/2025/08/31/l...
Reposted by Victorian Commons
Come and say hello to the #HistParl team at History Day next week! We're excited to talk about our research and catch up with new and old friends working in the sector.
Find out more via @ihr.bsky.social #HistDay25
Find out more via @ihr.bsky.social #HistDay25
1 week to go until History Day - don't forget to sign up! Read about why History Day is such a fantastic event in this blog by Claire Langhamer: buff.ly/ySfBuWR
#HistDay25 @senatehouselib.bsky.social
#HistDay25 @senatehouselib.bsky.social
October 30, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Come and say hello to the #HistParl team at History Day next week! We're excited to talk about our research and catch up with new and old friends working in the sector.
Find out more via @ihr.bsky.social #HistDay25
Find out more via @ihr.bsky.social #HistDay25
One here for our early modern @histparl.bsky.social colleagues - Snygge was MP for Cricklade and Bristol: www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1604-...
October 30, 2025 at 2:05 PM
One here for our early modern @histparl.bsky.social colleagues - Snygge was MP for Cricklade and Bristol: www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1604-...
Reposted by Victorian Commons
New to the #HistParl site, @kathrynrix.bsky.social looks at the provision made for women to witness debates in the temporary chamber used by the Commons between 1835 and 1852:
historyofparliament.com/2025/10/30/t...
historyofparliament.com/2025/10/30/t...
The ladies’ gallery in the temporary House of Commons - The History of Parliament
I am very grateful to Dr Mari Takayanagi for drawing to my attention the subtle differences between Catherine Gladstone's account of her visit to the Ladies'
historyofparliament.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:18 AM
New to the #HistParl site, @kathrynrix.bsky.social looks at the provision made for women to witness debates in the temporary chamber used by the Commons between 1835 and 1852:
historyofparliament.com/2025/10/30/t...
historyofparliament.com/2025/10/30/t...