author
Charles James Fox
1749–1806
A brilliant and controversial voice in British politics, remembered for his fearless oratory and his long fight for civil liberties and against the slave trade. His career was full of defeats and comebacks, but his passion and personality made him one of the great parliamentary figures of his age.
1 Audiobook
A History of the Early Part of the Reign of James the Second
by Charles James Fox
About the author
Born in Westminster in 1749, Charles James Fox grew up in a powerful political family and entered Parliament while still a young man. He became one of the leading figures of the Whig party, famous for speeches that were lively, bold, and often electrifying to his supporters.
Fox spent much of his career in opposition, especially in his rivalry with William Pitt the Younger and in his clashes with George III. He supported causes that made him stand out in his own time, including religious toleration, parliamentary reform, and the abolition of the slave trade. He also served as foreign secretary in 1782, 1783, and again in 1806.
Though he was often criticized for his private excesses and for the instability of his political career, Fox earned lasting respect as a defender of liberty and as one of Britain's most memorable statesmen. He died in 1806, not long after returning to office for the last time.