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John
Bright
 John Bright was actually a
Rochdale boy born in 1811 the son of a wealthy cotton
manufacturer. After school he worked in his
father's business but he also became prominent in local
politics and in the campaign against the Corn
Laws. He was known as a passionate public speaker
and in 1843 he became the MP for Durham. He along
with Richard Cobden was given credit for eventually
repealing the Corn Laws but Bright's campaigning zeal
wasn't satisfied and he faught a number of controversial
issues including universal sufferage and the secret
ballot. He was a quaker and a strong aponent of
slavery. Bright served in the cabinet of Prime
Miniter Gladstone whose staue stand just yards away from
Bright's in Albert Square. Not all of his views
were popular and on one occasion he was burned in effigy
in Manchester. However today you will find two
statues of the man, one inside the town hall and one by
W. Theed depicting him with scroll in hand looking at
the town hall.
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