Edward Smith

“ In 1775 Cartwright had been appointed major to the Nottinghamshire militia. He now began a series of writings on reform in parliament. From the first he advocated annual parliaments, universal suffrage, and the ballot. His extreme notions hindered his acceptance by the whigs, but his position as a country gentleman insured him respect. He was frequently in correspondence with Mr. Burke and other leaders of opinion. In 1780 Cartwright began the agitation which earned for him the title of the Father of Reform. ”

“ Shortly after he founded the Society for Constitutional Information. He stood for parliament more than once, but his candidature was vain. He unsuccessfully contested Nottinghamshire in 1780 and Boston in 1806 and 1807, and was nominated for Westminster in 1818 and 1819.
Meanwhile he was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits and laying down practical hints for the encouragement of the farming interest. He was likewise in active co-operation with Clarkson, Granville Sharp, and the other anti-slavery leaders. During the alarmist period Cartwright ran personal risk. ”

“ His writings are excessively dry to the ordinary reader, and quite significant of the enthusiast who could be earnest without being inflammatory. ‘He was cheerful, agreeable, and full of curious anecdote. ”