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'. Hazlitt's Essay on Cobbett, published in 1821.

Among the Society's activities are;

1 This year thereis a special residential weekend t Christchurch College, Oxford, September 3rd to 5th. This includes a rural ride to Gloucester and the Forest of Dean. Cost £190. Enquiries to: Barbara Biddell or Simon Bellord.

2 Annual Memorial Lecture .This year the annual Memorial Lecture is by James Grande, Cobbett Researcher at Linacre College, Oxford. Takes place at Farnham Castle, 7pm on Friday October 10.

3  A day expedition by coach, retracing with readings, routes taken by Cobbett on his Rural Rides. This year it is on Sunday July 9th. Enquiries to Charles Stuart.

4 An annual Cobbett walk, visiting the places in Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire where Cobbett lived.

5 The publication of a journal, Cobbett's New Register, containing articles on Cobbett's life and times and the text of the Annual Memorial Lecture.

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

The Society has for sale:

This Happy Land: William Cobbett on America 1794-1835 by Molly Townsend £15 p&p £2.50.
Account of the Family by Anne Cobbett price £4.50 plus p&p £1
Facsimile of Cobbett's Weekly Political Register for March 25 1820, [the Coventry Election] price £2 including p&p
The Jolly Farmer? William Cobbett in Hampshire 1804-1820, by Barbara Biddell,price £3 plus p&p £1

The Life of William Cobbett by Himself; a faithful copy, first published by Cobbet in America in 1796, reprinted by Cobbett in 1809, price £4.50 plus p&p £1. A cartoon of Cobbett by James Gillray is included. 

Membership

President: Sir Richard Body

                                                       

Chairman and Secretary:

Barbara Biddell, 3 Park Terrace, Tillington, Petworth West Sussex GU28 9AE  01798 342008

Treasurer:

Simon Bellord, Flat1, Tetten hall, Woking, Surrey, GU22 7UG 01483 767865

Membership Secretary:

David Chun, 1 Meadow View, Spring Grove, Bursledon, Southampton, SO31 8BB.  02380 403940

Committee members

Charles Stuart, 6, Lynch Road, Farnham,Surry GU9 8BZ

01252 722947

Gloria Dyche, Hankley Wood, Thursley Road, Elstead, Surrey, GU8 6LW. 01252 702449.

Stephen Wingent, 1 Gable Cottages, 34 Boundstone Road, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4TQ. 01252 792838.

           

William Cobbett, drawn and engraved by Bartalozzi in 1801

 

                     Membership of the Society is £8 per annum.