The William Cobbett Society was founded in 1976 to bring together those who have an interest in the life and writings of William Cobbett. A passionate defender of the freedom of the press Cobbett was prepared to defend it at the cost of imprisonment and exile.

'He is not only unquestionably the most powerful political writer of the present day, but one of the best writers in the language. He speaks and thinks plain, broad, downright English'.  The only time I ever saw him he seemed to me a very pleasant man: easy of access, affable, clear-headed, deliberate and unruffled in his speach... I certainly did not think less favourably of him for seeing him.

Hazlitt's Essay on Cobbett, published in his table talk,1821

The Society’s Activities:

Among the Society's activities are:

An Annual Rural Ride

A day expedition by coach, retracing with readings and commentaries, routes taken by Cobbett on his Rural Rides. (More)

An Annual Memorial Lecture

The 2011 Annual Memorial lecture was held at Farnham Castle on Friday, October 7th.  The guest speaker was Mr Martin Bell O.B.E. It was followed by a dinner with the speaker at the Bistro 27.

An annual Cobbett walk

visiting the places in Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire where Cobbett lived from 1805 to 1820.

The annual publication of a journal, Cobbett's New Register

containing articles on various aspects of Cobbett's life and times, including the text of the Annual Memorial Lecture.

Cobbett’s  Works

In association with the Society, the Museum of Farnham holds in its Reading Room an almost complete set of  bound volumes of Cobbett's Political Register and a large collection of Cobbett's works, and books about Cobbett. Various Cobbett artefacts are on display.

Sale of Books (See Books for sale)

The Society’s website

Mike Clements has produced this revised website and will continue to manage it. If members wish to add anything, such as change of address, forthcoming events, new books for sale, reports of rural rides, news items, or obituaries, please let him know at information@williamcobbett.org.uk

Farnham public Art Trust:   http://www.farnhampublicarttrust.co.uk