Prominent Victorian statesman Richard Cobden is the subject of a new digital exhibition, set to be 'an enormous boon' to 19th century scholarship. 

Described in the exhibition as "one of the most influential British politicians of the 19th century", Richard Cobden was, for all his world-ranging prestige, closely connected with Stockport. 

As well as being a prominent Liberal politician, an advocate of free trade and peace, and a firm opponent of the Corn Laws, Cobden was MP for Stockport from 1841-47.

This new exhibition, produced by three scholars, features over 5,000 of the politician's letters, showcasing the full range of his interests and deeds. Many of them are previously unpublished, some come from the Stockport Library archives, and many of them make direct reference to Victorian Stockport itself. 

Richard Cobden lived from 1804-1865 - he was in Russia when he was elected as MP for Stockport. He was Stockport MP when this picture was painted in 1845 by Charles Duvall (Image - Charles Duvall / public domain)

A letter to one Archibald Prentice, for example, begins earnestly with: "My dear Sir, I have been longing for a gossip with you upon my Stockport affairs." 

Cobden goes on to talk about local Stockport newspapers, no less: "If the Stockport tory [sic] paper tomorrow should contain some blackguard attacks on me and my friends, which is more than probable, the best way in which your remarks could be put in support of my cause would be in some well merited castigation in reply to that journal. Have you the opportunity of seeing the Stockport Advertiser?"

Far from 'blackguard' attacks on Mr Cobden, this newspaper would recommend all readers to have a look at his letters. 

Behind the exhibition is Prof Simon Morgan, (Leeds Trinity), Prof Anthony Howe (Uni of East Anglia), and Dr Helen Dampier (Leeds Beckett)

It features a wealth of transcribed material, all contained in a fully-searchable database. Visitors can search by keyword, recipient, date, location, and more. 

Visit the site HERE.

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