1811 - John Bright was born in Rochdale, Lancashire on the 16th
of November. 1836 - He met Richard Cobden. 1838 - He made his
first speech on the Corn Laws at Rochdale and joined the
Manchesterprovisional committee. 1839 - He became one of the
leading members and worked closely with Richard Cobden in the
campaign for the repeal of the Corn Laws. He married to
Elizabeth Priestman. He built the house, "One Ash". 1840 - He
led a movement against the Rochdale church-rate. 1841 - He
emerged as the chief supporting speaker to Cobden. 1843 - He was
the Free Trade candidate at a by-election at Durham. He beacame
MP for Durham. 1845 - He moved for an injury into the operation
of the Game Laws. 1847 - He married his second wife, Margaret
Elizabeth Leatham. He became MP for Manchester. 1854 - He was a
member of the Peace Society and denounced the Crimean War as un-
Christian. 1855 - He made his most memorable speech and was
delivered on the 23th of February. 1856-1858 - He suffered a
severe nervous breakdown due to his f