John Arthur Roebuck

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The Rt Hon. John Arthur Roebuck
The Rt Hon. John Arthur Roebuck
For the English inventor, see John Roebuck

John Arthur Roebuck (December 28, 1802November 30, 1879), British politician, was born at Madras, in India.

After the death of his father, a civil servant, his mother's second marriage transferred him to Canada, where he was chiefly brought-up. He came to England in 1824, was called to the bar (Q.C. 1843), became intimate with the leading radical and utilitarian reformers, was elected Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) for Bath in 1832, and took up that general attitude of hostility to the government of the day, be it what it might, which he retained throughout his life.

At all times conspicuous for his eloquence, honesty and recalcitrancy, he twice came with especial prominence before the public—in 1838, when, although at the time without a seat in parliament, he appeared at the bar of the Commons to protest, in the name of the Canadian Assembly, against the suspension of the Canadian constitution; and in 1855, when, having overthrown Lord Aberdeen's ministry by carrying a resolution for the appointment of a committee of inquiry into the mismanagement in the Crimean War, he presided over its proceedings.

In his latter years his political opinions became greatly modified, but with one interruption he retained his seat for Sheffield, which he had won in 1849, until his death in London.

[edit] Works

  • Remarks on the Proposed Union of the Canadas, 1822
  • Debate in the House of Commons, on the 15th April, 1834, on Mr. Roebuck's Motion for "a Select Committee to inquire the means of remedying the evils wich exist in the form of the governments now existing in Upper and Lower Canada.", 1834
  • The Canadas and Their Grievances, 1835
  • Existing Difficulties in the Government of the Canadas, 1836
  • The Colonies of England : A Plan for the Government of Portion of Our Colonial Possessions, 1849
  • History of the Whig Ministry of 1830, to the Passing of the Reform Bill , 1852

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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
John Thynne
Member of Parliament for Bath
1832–1837
Succeeded by
The Viscount Powerscourt
William Bruges
Preceded by
The Viscount Powerscourt
William Bruges
Member of Parliament for Bath
1841–1847
Succeeded by
Lord Ashley
Preceded by
Henry George Ward
Member of Parliament for Sheffield
1849–1868
Succeeded by
Anthony John Mundella
Preceded by
George Hadfield
Member of Parliament for Sheffield
1874–1879
Succeeded by
Samuel Danks Waddy