View source for Henry Richard

{{Short description|British politician (1812–1888)}}
{{For|the Canadian hockey player|Henri Richard}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
[[File:Henry Richard Esq MP.jpg|thumb|Portrait of Henry Richard in 1870]]
[[File:Portrait of Henry Richard, M.P. for Merthyr Tydfil (4671875).jpg|thumb|Portrait of Henry Richard in 1877]]
[[File:HenryRichardMonumentTregaron.jpg|thumb|right|Statue of Henry Richard in [[Tregaron]] by [[Albert Toft]]]]
[[File:Henry Richard, Vanity Fair, 1880-09-04.jpg|thumb|"Peace". Caricature by [[Leslie Ward|Spy]] published in ''[[Vanity Fair (British magazine 1868-1914)|Vanity Fair]]'' in 1880]]

'''Henry Richard''' (3 April 1812 – 20 August 1888) was a [[Congregational]] minister and [[Wales|Welsh]] [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] between 1868–1888. Richard was an advocate of peace and international arbitration, as secretary of the [[Peace Society]] for forty years (1848–1884). His other interests included [[Abolitionism in the United Kingdom|anti-slavery]] work.

==Early life==
Born in 1812 in [[Tregaron]], Ceredigion, he was the second son of Ebenezer Richard (1781–1837), a [[Calvinism|Calvinistic]] Methodist minister. He was educated initially at [[Llangeitho]] [[grammar school]], and attended [[Highbury College]], near London, to obtain qualifications for the ministry.{{sfn|Lee|1896}}

In 1835, after ordination Richard was appointed pastor at the [[Congregational]] Marlborough Chapel, in the [[Old Kent Road]], London.{{sfn|Lee|1896}} Its foundation stone had been laid by Thomas Wilson in 1826. Richard succeeded Thomas Hughes, and raised sufficient funds to pay off the chapel's building loans and establish a school (British School, Oakley Place).

==Secretary of the Peace Society==
Richard resigned in 1850 to devote himself full-time as secretary to the Peace Society, it was a post he had undertaken two years earlier on a part-time basis. He helped organize a [[International Peace Congress|series of congresses]] in the capitals of Europe, and was partly instrumental in securing the insertion of a declaration in favour of arbitration in the [[Treaty of Paris (1856)|treaty of Paris]] in 1856.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}} Through this work he became universally known in Europe and the United States until his resignation in 1885.

==Early political career==
During the early 1860s, Richard became a leading figure in the [[Liberation Society]], whose main aim was the disestablishment of the Anglican Church. The Society increasingly focused its attentions on Richard's native Wales and sought to contest parliamentary elections. While Richard's published writings were critical of the landed gentry's influence over political life in Wales, he did nevertheless recognize that the deferential attitudes of those who held the vote at parliamentary elections would be a barrier to any potential political breakthrough. Indeed, in Cardiganshire, levels of support for the Liberation Society (at least in terms of financial contributions) were low.{{sfn|Jones|1964|p=26}} The lack of a political aspect to the county's nonconformity was illustrated at the 1865 general election when Richard briefly emerged as a potential Liberal candidate for [[Ceredigion (UK Parliament constituency)|Cardiganshire]].{{sfn|Jones|1964|pp=22–4}}

===1865 general election===
The sitting member for Cardiganshire, [[William Thomas Rowland Powell]], had indicated some twelve months prior to the election that he would retire and [[Sir Thomas Lloyd, 1st Baronet|Sir Thomas Lloyd]] of Bronwydd had been selected as the Liberal candidate. However, when Powell reversed his decision, Lloyd issued an address stating that he would not oppose the sitting member. As a result, both Richard and [[David Davies (industrialist)|David Davies Llandinam]] offered themselves as candidates. On his arrival in Cardiganshire, Richard immediately visited [[Gogerddan]] to seek the views of the Pryse family and, as a result announced his candidature.{{sfn|Jones|1964|p=24}} The influence of Gogerddan was very strong in [[Aberystwyth]] and throughout the north of the county, and also particularly hostile to David Davies. Their support for Richard was influenced by their hostility towards Davies.

A selection meeting was arranged to be held at Aberaeron, but shortly before this took place, Powell again announced his retirement. Richard's agents visited Bronwydd to ascertain Lloyd's intentions and, on understanding that Lloyd would now fight the seat after all, Richard withdrew in his favour.{{sfn|Jones|1964|p=24}} David Davies, however, did not withdraw and in his speech accepting nomination was particularly critical of Richard's decision to withdraw.<ref name="W 21-7-65 noms">{{cite news|title=Cardiganshire Election|url=http://newspapers.library.wales/view/4353143/4353149/25|access-date=3 May 2018|newspaper=Welshman|date=21 July 1865|page=6}}</ref> Davies came within 361 votes of victory.{{sfn|Jones|1964|p=16}}

==1868 general election==
In 1868 Henry Richard was elected [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal]] member of parliament for the [[Merthyr Tydfil (UK Parliament constituency)|Merthyr]] boroughs in South [[Wales]].{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}

===Member of Parliament===
Following his election, Richard become known as one of the foremost nonconformists in the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]]. Here he was a leading member of the party which advocated the removal of [[Nonconformist (Protestantism)|Nonconformist]] grievances and the disestablishment of the church in Wales.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}

==Chairman of the Congregational Union==
In 1877, Richard was appointed chairman of the Congregational Union of England and Wales.

==Author and journalist==
Among Richard's writings may be mentioned:

* ''Defensive War'' (1846 and 1890)
* ''The Recent Progress of International Arbitration'' (1884) on the subject of peace and conflict
* ''Memoirs of [[Joseph Sturge]]'' (1864) in memory of the [[Abolitionism in the United Kingdom|abolitionist]] and founder of the mid-nineteenth century Anti-Slavery Society, the [[Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade]];
* ''Letters on the Social and Political Condition of the Principality of Wales'' (1866 and 1884) reflecting his love of Wales;

He also prepared some of the material for the life of his friend and associate, [[Richard Cobden]], which was written by [[John Morley, 1st Viscount Morley of Blackburn|John Morley]], later Lord Morley.

In the field of journalism he contributed to the ''Morning Star'' and the ''Evening Star''.

==Abolitionist==
Less well known for his anti-slavery work and unable to support the [[American Civil War]] as an appropriate means to end slavery, Henry Richard was nevertheless respected in this field. Indeed, a few weeks after his death, the [[British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society]] (now Anti-Slavery International), published an obituary in their journal, the ''[[Anti-Slavery Reporter]]''.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

==Death and memorials==
[[File:The grave of Henry Richard, Abney Park Cemetery, London.jpg|thumb|upright|The grave of Henry Richard, Abney Park Cemetery, London]]

Richard died suddenly of [[Cardiovascular disease|heart disease]] on 20{{nbsp}}August 1888 at the home of the [[Lord Lieutenant of Anglesey]] in Treborth, near [[Bangor, Gwynedd|Bangor]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Death of Mr. Henry Richard, M.P. |work=Huddersfield Chronicle |date=25 August 1888 |access-date=20 December 2015 |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000167/18880825/042/0003| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref> His body was brought to his London residence in Bolton Gardens, [[South Kensington]], where it lay in state until his funeral on 31{{nbsp}}August.<ref>{{cite news |title=Funeral of Mr. Henry Richard |work=Wrexham Advertiser |date=1 September 1888 |access-date=20 December 2015 |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000167/18880825/042/0003| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

His imposing white stone and marble tomb in the form of a shrine with its own gabled roof, replete with his carved portrait, was erected by public subscription in 1891 over his grave at the Congregationalist model non-denominational garden cemetery, [[Abney Park Cemetery]], [[Stoke Newington]], London.<ref>[https://www.flickr.com/photos/sarflondondunc/2592106479/in/set-946518/ Photo of tomb] at flickr</ref> The grave lies on an eastern path not far from the southern entrance. His wife Augusta Matilda lies with him.

The equally imposing Henry Richard Memorial statue which dominates the Square at Tregaron was designed by [[Albert Toft]] and unveiled by Sir [[George Osborne Morgan]] on 18 August 1893.<ref name=delweddau>''Tregaron: Images of a Country Town''. Tregaron and District Historical Society & Landmark Publishing UK, 2006. {{ISBN|1-84306-197-X}}</ref>{{rp|p30}} The inscription on the plinth reads:

{{Blockquote
|text=Born here in Tregaron, he was educated for the Christian ministry, and in 1835 he was ordained in London. In 1848 he was appointed Secretary to the Peace Society, gaining an international reputation as "The Apostle of Peace."{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}} In 1868 he became M.P. for the Merthyr constituency: and such was his concern for Welsh affairs that he became known as "the Member for Wales." He was also a prominent pioneer in education: he served on several commissions of enquiry and in 1883 he became the first vice-president of Cardiff University College.
I have always been mindful of three things:—Not to forget the language of my country; and the people and cause of my country; and to neglect no opportunity of defending the character and promoting the interests of my country.

My hope for the abatement of the war system lies in the permanent conviction of the people, rather than the policies of cabinets or the discussions of parliaments.
|multiline=yes
|source=Henry Richard Memorial statue
}}

==See also==
* [[List of peace activists]]

== Citations ==
 {{Reflist}}

== General and cited references ==
===Books and journals===
* Appleton, L. (1899). ''Memoirs of Henry Richard''. London: Trubner.
* Articles in ''Cymru Fydd'' ''The Anti-Slavery Reporter'' for 1888.
* Gwyn Griffiths (2012). ''Henry Richard, Apostle of Peace and Welsh Patriot''.
* {{cite journal|last1=Jones|first1=Ieuan Gwynedd|title=Cardiganshire Politics in the Mid-Nineteenth Century|journal=Ceredigion|date=1964|volume=5|issue=1|pages=14–41|url=https://datasyllwr.llgc.org.uk/journals/pdf/AWJAY005004.pdf|access-date=30 April 2018}}
* {{cite journal|last=Jones|first=Ieuan Gwynedd|title=Dr Thomas Price and the Election of 1868 in Merthyr Tydfil: A Study in Nonconformist Politics (Part Two)|journal=[[Welsh History Review]]|year=1965|volume=2|issue=3|pages=251–70|url=http://welshjournals.llgc.org.uk/browse/viewobject/llgc-id:1073591/article/000016921}}{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* {{cite book|last=Jones|first=Ieuan Gwynedd|title=Explorations and Explanations: Essays in the Social History of Victorian Wales |year=1981|publisher=Gomer|location=Llandysul|isbn=0850886449}}
* Miall, Charles S. (1899). ''Henry Richard, M.P.: A Biography''. London: Cassell.
* D. Ben Rees (2007). ''The Life and Work of Henry Richard''. Nottingham, UK.

; Attribution
* {{EB1911|wstitle=Richard, Henry|volume=23|page=297}}
* {{DNB|wstitle=Richard, Henry|volume=48}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Henry Richard}}
* {{hansard-contribs | mr-henry-richard | Henry Richard }}
* ''[[Dictionary of Welsh Biography]]'': [https://biography.wales/article/s-RICH-HEN-1812 "RICHARD, HENRY (1812–1888), politician", by Ellis, T. I., (1959).]

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{{succession box
 | title  = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] for [[Merthyr Tydfil (UK Parliament constituency)|Merthyr Tydfil]]
 | years  = [[1868 United Kingdom general election|1868]]–[[October 1888 Merthyr Tydfil by-election|1888]]
 | with   = [[Richard Fothergill (politician)|Richard Fothergill]] to 1880
 | with2  = [[Charles James (MP)|Charles James]] to 1888
 | with3  = [[D. A. Thomas]] 1888
 | before = [[Henry Bruce, 1st Baron Aberdare|Henry Bruce]]
 | after  = [[William Pritchard-Morgan]]
 | after2 = [[D. A. Thomas]]
}}
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{{succession box|title=Editor of the ''[[Morning Star (London newspaper)|Morning Star]]''|years=1857|with=John Hamilton|before=William Haly|after=[[Baxter Langley]]}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Richard, Henry}}
[[Category:1812 births]]
[[Category:1888 deaths]]
[[Category:19th-century Welsh clergy]]
[[Category:Calvinist pacifists]]
[[Category:British pacifists]]
[[Category:British abolitionists]]
[[Category:Burials at Abney Park Cemetery]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1868–1874]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1874–1880]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1880–1885]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1885–1886]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1886–1892]]
[[Category:Liberal Party (UK) MPs for Welsh constituencies]]
[[Category:Welsh Congregationalist ministers]]
[[Category:Congregationalist abolitionists]]