William Cobbett papers [Folder 1, 1792-1793]

William Cobbett papers [Folder 1, 1792-1793]

Publishing and Publishers > Philadelphia > 18th century

United States > History > Revolution, 1775-1783.

William Cobbett emigrated to Philadelphia in 1792. He taught English to French refugees. He became very active in bookselling and publishing and eventually, as a pamphleteer, became a factor in American politics. In 1796, he began The Censor, a monthly publication; it was replaced in 1797 by Porcupine's Gazette, which ran until 1799. He was a Royalist who sided with the Federalist in American politics. In 1797 he was sued for libel by Dr. Benjamin Rush. Cobbett took issue with Rush's treatment of Yellow Fever by bleeding. Cobbett contended that the bleeding caused more deaths of those stricken by the epidemic than cured. Rush won the lawsuit and was awarded $5,000. Cobbett removed to England in 1800, where he renewed his bookselling and publishing interests and became quite active in English politics. These typescripts of William Cobbett's correspondence are to both social acquaintances and business associates. They discuss primarily English, French, and American politics and his interests in the bookselling and publishing trade. Correspondents include: Charles Dickens, T.C. Hansard, Henry Hunt, James Mathieu, John Nichols, Daniel O'Connell, William Palmer, and Sir Charles Wolseley.

Cobbett, William 1763-1835 (Creator)

Historical Society of Pennsylvania

English

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