Henry Hunt

Henry Hunt 1773-1835, English radical politician. A powerful orator, popular with the laboring classes, Hunt was quarrelsome and stubborn but a sincere proponent of electoral and other reforms. He took part with Arthur Thistlewood in the Spa Fields meeting (1816) and gained his chief notice by presiding at the meeting in Manchester that ended in the Peterloo massacre (1819). He was imprisoned for two years, after a trial of doubtful legality. Hunt sat in Parliament (1830-32) but exerted little influence.

Hunt, Henry (“ Orator Hunt”) (1773–1835) British political reformer. He advocated, among other things, full adult suffrage and secret ballots. An outstanding public speaker, in August 1819 he addressed the crowd at the great meeting at St Peter's Fields (PETERLOO MASSACRE), Manchester. For this he was subsequently sentenced to two years' imprisonment. During 1830–33 he was Radical Member of Parliament for Preston.

Hunt, Henry (1773–1835). Radical reformer. ‘Orator’ Hunt was a Wiltshire gentleman farmer, who became convinced of the need for a thorough reform of the existing political system, based on universal suffrage, annual parliaments, and the ballot. In 1816–17 he headed three huge anti‐government demonstrations in Spa Fields, London. He was arrested for his part at Peterloo and imprisoned for 2½ years in Ilchester gaol. After several unsuccessful parliamentary contests, he was returned for Preston in 1830, and opposed the 1832 Reform Bill as a half‐measure which did nothing for the working class.