TheVictorianCommons
@TheVictCommons
The History of Parliament's House of Commons 1832-68 project. Find our blog https://victoriancommons.wordpress.com & more via https://linktr.ee/victoriancommons
William Pinney, MP for Lyme Regis, was born #OnThisDay 1806. Find out more about his involvement in electoral corruption and his opposition to slavery (despite his family’s interests in the West Indies) in our post: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2015/11/29/mp-…
On the anniversary of Swynfen Jervis’s return for Bridport in 1837, #HistParl's Dr Philip Salmon explores the career of this ‘eccentric’ MP, focusing on the way in which he defied the Whig-Liberal government in 1839: historyofparliament.com/2025/07/25/swy…
Born #OnThisDay 1819 George Phipps, who sat (as Earl of Mulgrave) as Liberal MP for Scarborough, 1847-51, 1852-7. He was later governor of Nova Scotia, Queensland, New Zealand & Victoria. More on him in our blog: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2019/07/23/mp-…
Died #OnThisDay 1903 Henry Liddell, 2nd Earl of Ravensworth, who was Conservative MP for Northumberland South, 1852-78. He was among the MPs who voted in the minority for John Stuart Mill’s women’s suffrage amendment, 20 May 1867: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2017/05/19/the…
Interesting piece which includes 19th century clubs and the latest book from our former @HistParl PhD student @SAThevoz bbc.com/culture/articl… via @BBC_Culture
Our Victorian Commons website is 13 years old today! We have well over 300 articles to read on 19th century British history, looking at elections, MPs, Parliament and lots more: victoriancommons.wordpress.com

Our latest Victorian Commons article looks at what is thought to have been England's last political duel, fought between Canterbury's MPs in the run-up to the 1852 general election. victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2025/07/10/a-n…
One of the duellists here, Lord Cardigan, was an MP until 1837 (as Lord Brudenell). Coincidentally, our new blog later this week is on the subject of England's last political duel.
Our newest Museum Highlight - The Duel on the Wimbledon Common. Read below: horsepowermuseum.co.uk/museum-monthly…
#OnThisDay 1864 after four nights of debate on the government’s foreign policy towards Germany & Denmark (in relation to the Schleswig-Holstein question), the Commons narrowly rejected Disraeli’s attempt to pass a vote of censure on Palmerston’s ministry: api.parliament.uk/historic-hansa…
Born #OnThisDay 1805 Robert Fitzroy, best known for his command of HMS Beagle, on which Charles Darwin voyaged. He was Conservative MP for Durham, 1841-3. Our short article has more on him & his role in pioneering weather forecasting: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2012/08/21/rob…
Died #OnThisDay 1850 Sir Robert Peel, twice Conservative prime minister. This short article from our editor Dr Philip Salmon explores his relationship with the Conservative party, which Peel helped to shape but also divided: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2020/02/05/sir…
Edward Strutt (1st Baron Belper), who died #OnThisDay 1880, was Liberal MP for Derby 1830-48, Arundel 1851-2 and Nottingham 1852-6. As Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster he wore this beautiful court dress, which you can read more about in our blog: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2024/05/14/fro…
#OnThisDay 1836 Hansard gave an insight into some of the people who kept the 19thC House of Commons running, with a debate on the salaries of the door-keepers, waiting-room attendant and deputy house-keeper. For more on the 19thC Commons staff, see victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2021/07/26/hal…
#OnThisDay 1838 Queen Victoria’s coronation was held in Westminster Abbey. Around 500 MPs attended, including William Gladstone and Benjamin Disraeli. Our article looks at their experiences of this event: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2013/06/28/mps…
#OnThisDay 1842 the House of Commons debated the new poor law, introduced in 1834. The Oldham MP John Fielden made an impassioned speech against it and highlighted the substantial number of petitions opposing it. api.parliament.uk/historic-hansa… Image shows an 1835 design for a workhouse.

William Coningham, Liberal MP for Brighton, 1857-64, was born #OnThisDay 1815. He was a leading figure in the Victorian art world and an unlikely early English socialist. Find out more about him in our blog: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2013/11/27/mp-…