Gentleman Radical

Drawing on both British and American archival sources, contemporary newspapers and periodicals, this biography provides an account of the life of John Horne Tooke. Tooke was a central figure in the ministerial, extra-parliamentary and journalistic politics of his day. The late 18th century was renowned for radical and revolutionary fervour, fierce controversy, strident polemic and revolution; John Horne Tooke’s life mirrored this ferment and turbulence. As the only man in England imprisoned for supporting the American Revolution, Tooke was known for his revolutionary enthusiasm and as a principal agitator for parliamentary reform. He was a close associate of the greatest radicals of the time, including Sir Francis Burdett, William Godwin and Thomas Paine. Tooke was an unrivalled polemicist and brilliant conversationalist.