Subseries II: Newspaper clippings, 1768, 1771
Sub-Series
Dates
- 1768, 1771
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
From the Collection: 17 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Subseries II: Newspaper clippings, 1768, 1771
Subsubseries II: Newspaper clippings, 1768,1771, is arranged chronologically and includes newspaper clippings concerning John Wilkes, as well as several major events that occurred throughout his career. Unfortunately many of the articles contained within this subseries are undated, however it is quite easy to understand a general date of when they were written, as the majority of them describe at the time recent events which are well documented. For example, Item 22 does not directly describe the day that an election was held, however based on background information found previously within the article we know that it is describing the 1768 Middlesex Election, and the date of this election is documented.
This subseries contains references to events regarding Wilkes’ life including The Middlesex Election of 1768, the sentencing of John Wilkes for twenty two months, the subsequent Middlesex election affair, his imprisonment within King’s Bench Prison, as well as Wilkes’ election as sheriff of London in 1771. This era of Wilkes’ career is among the most controversial due to the events that the pieces contained within this subseries describe; the Middlesex election affair. This cartoonish event began in February of 1769 when Wilkes was expelled from the House of Commons over charges of libel, and yet despite this and the fact that he had been imprisoned within King's Bench Prison for several months at this point, he was able to win three by-elections in February, March, and April of that year, which were all very quickly voided. With the third sub-election that was voided came the election of Henry Lutrell by the House of Commons, which led to Wilkes running for and winning the position of Alderman of London later that year in retaliation to the indecency he was experiencing. This affair quickly became a massive controversy throughout the country, sparking debate on democracy within Britain.
Some figures referenced within the collection include George Cooke, Sir William Beacham Proctor, Mr. Searjeant Glynn, Lord Halifax, James Mansfield, Frederick Bull, Alderman Kirkman, Alderman Plumbe, and Alderman Oliver.
Some figures referenced within the collection include George Cooke, Sir William Beacham Proctor, Mr. Searjeant Glynn, Lord Halifax, James Mansfield, Frederick Bull, Alderman Kirkman, Alderman Plumbe, and Alderman Oliver.
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu