Thomas Attwood: The Biography of a RadicalIn addition to his political activities, Attwood laid claim to competence as an economist, based on his experience in banking and his observation of industrial practices in Birmingham. He focused most of his attention on the gold standard and its inhibitory effect on the growth of the economy. Long before the development of modern schools of economic theory, Attwood sought the regulation of business through control of the money supply. He was unsuccessful in his challenge to the Ricardian school, which promised stability through a gold based economy, and died disillusioned. Birmingham became identified with his brand of economic theory and a succession of economists followed his lead into the national arena. Through his study of Attwood's career and the development of his philosophy, David Moss reveals the impact of industrialism on the individual and society. |
Contents
Introduction | 3 |
1 Family Background and Commercial Apprenticeship | 17 |
2 Public Champion | 35 |
3 Great Expectations | 51 |
4 A Crime against the People | 71 |
5 Backstairs Politics | 85 |
6 False Hopes | 100 |
7 New Directions | 126 |
A Vehicle of Protest | 152 |
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agricultural Althorp appeared April argument Aris Attwood Papers Attwood to Elizabeth Attwoods & Spooner August Bank of England Bank's bankers became Birmingham Chronicle Birmingham Gazette Birmingham Journal Birmingham Political Union cabinet campaign Chartists circulation claimed classes Cobbett Corn Laws council currency Davenport debate December demand deputation despite distress economic Edmonds election Elizabeth Attwood favour February friends George George Nicholls gold Grey Hansard high bailiff House of Commons House of Lords Ibid industrial interest issue January July June labour later leaders Letter Books London Lord Liverpool March Matthias Attwood Midland mingham minister monetary motion Muntz Newhall Hill notes November October opinion Orders-in-Council pamphlets Parliament parliamentary Peel petition present proposed prosperity question radical Reform Bill Report Richard Spooner Scholefield Select Committee Sir George Sinclair speech Thomas Attwood Tory town meeting town's trade Ultra-Tories vote Wakefield Wellington Westminster Whigs