British Rights Reformer John Wilkes

John Wilkes (1725–1797) was a fiery British politician, journalist, and champion of civil liberties who became one of the most prominent defenders of free speech and parliamentary reform in 18th-century Britain. A member of Parliament and outspoken critic of King George III’s government, he gained fame through his radical newspaper The North Briton, particularly issue No. 45, which attacked the king’s policies and led to his arrest in 1763 under a general warrant. His imprisonment sparked widespread protests, making him a symbol of resistance against arbitrary power and a popular hero of the phrase “Wilkes and Liberty.” Despite being expelled multiple times from Parliament, Wilkes was repeatedly re-elected by his constituents, forcing the government to relent. Later in life, he served as Lord Mayor of London and pursued more moderate reforms, but his early struggles secured his legacy as a pioneer in the fight for free expression, fair representation, and the rights of the people.