BROUGHAM, HENRY PETER
“ALTHOUGH THE PEOPLE MUST BE THE SOURCE OF THEIR OWN IMPROVEMENT, THEY MAY BE AIDED IN THEIR EFFORTS TO INSTRUCT THEMSELVES.” —HENRY BROUGHAM
Henry Peter Brougham, also known as Baron
Brougham and Vaux, achieved prominence as a
lawyer and statesman.
Brougham was born September 18, 1778, in
Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1802, Brougham was
instrumental in the creation of the publication
the Edinburgh Review. He subsequently relocated to London and was admitted to the English bar in 1808. He became a member of
Parliament in 1810, where he voiced his opposition to SLAVERY and trade restrictions.
Brougham gained fame in 1820 as chief
attorney for Queen Caroline, also known as Caroline of Brunswick. Caroline had married
George, Prince of Wales, in 1795, and after giving birth to a daughter, they separated, and Caroline lived alone. In 1806, she was accused of giving birth to an illegitimate child, but was
found innocent by an inquiry commission.
George became king in 1820, and Caroline
demanded her place as his queen. Caroline was
sued for DIVORCE on grounds of ADULTERY, and
the case was taken to the House of Lords;
Brougham served as her attorney, and the
charges were eventually dropped.
A leader in the field of educational reform,
Brougham participated in the establishment of
the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge
in 1825, and of the University of London in 1828.
From 1830 to 1834, Brougham served as Lord
Chancellor and drafted numerous legal reforms
and helped to institute the central criminal court.
He died May 7, 1868, in Cannes, France.
Henry Peter Brougham 1778–1868
