24 September 1740 -
23 September 1824




Major John Cartwright



Major John Cartwright



Born in Marnham, Nottingham, his brother Edmund Cartwright inventor of the power loom in 1789, wool combing machine, a machine for making rope in 1792.

At the age of eighteen John joined the Navy, in 1763 became the Commander of HM Cutter - Sherbourne.

In 1771 ill-health forced his retirement.

At the time of the disputes with the American Colonies, he supported the colonists, he felt strongly enough to refuse a commission to the ship Duke of Cumberland.  John published his first plea on behalf of the colonists in 1774.

1775 on the rising of the Nottinghamshire Miltaria he was appointed Major, a roll he held for 17 years and he was superseded because of his political beliefs.

The task of his life was universal suffrage, he formed the 'Society for Constitutional Information'.  John worked tirelessly for the promotion of reform.

In 1812, he started the Hampden Clubs aiming to bring together middle class moderates and lower class radicals in the cause of reform.  He toured the Northwest of England promoting the clubs.

John was invited to speak at St Peter's field but he was unable to attend.  Within the year he was arrested in Birmingham at a parliamentry reform meeting.

John Cartwright wrote the 'The English Constitution' which outlined his ideas, such as government by the people, secret ballot and equal electoral districts.  He sent a copy to Thomas Jefferson former President of United States of America.


John Cartwright married on 12th Nov 1780 to Anne Kathleen Dashwood (1744-1834) No children.







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Last updated 31st May 2017