Description: John Cam Hobhouse, the son of Sir Benjamin Hobhouse, Whig M.P. for Bristol and Charlotte Cam, was born in Bristol on 27th June 1786. He was Byron's lifelong friend from Cambridge days, Hobhouse was known as 'Hobby'. Hobhouse and Byron's friendship had stood the test of a long journey together to the East, the source of Childe Harold's Pilgrimage. When Hobhouse later set out alone Byron wrote to Lady Melbourne: '... he is ye oldest, indeed ye only friend I have and ... in parting with him, I lose 'a guide, philosopher and friend'. I neither can, nor wish, to replace'. Hobhouse lived at the family home at Whitton while correcting the proofs of Don Juan for Byron, by then in permanent exile. As Byron's executor he was there again in the summer of 1824, sorting through his correspondence. Apart from his friendship with Byron Hobhouse developed an interested in politics and wrote several articles supporting liberal causes in Europe. John Cam Hobhouse became friendly with the radical M.P., Sir Francis Burdett who encouraged him to became a candidate in the 1819 by-election for Westminster. He was initially defeated by won the seat in the General Election that followed later that year. After his election, Hobhouse established himself as one of the leading radicals in Parliament. Hobhouse proudly described himself as a leveller and was a strong opponent of aristocratic privilege. As a result of one pamphlet that he wrote he was arrested and briefly sent to Newgate Prison. In 1819 Hobhouse carried out his own private investigation into the Peterloo Massacre and in the House of Commons was highly critical of the way the authorities had dealt with the demonstrators. In a debate in the House of Commons on 15th May 1821, Hobhouse argued that the meeting at St. Peter's Fields had been completely peaceful. He served as president of the board of control for India from 1835 to 1841 and again from 1846 to 1852. During the early establishment of the indenture system Sir Hobhouse was not opposed to the scheme, and had replied to Gladestone that the Indian Government would not interfere with his plans. In the House of Commons Hobhouse became the leading advocate of parliamentary reform and factory legislation. However, Hobhouse broke with the radicals after the passing of the 1832 Reform Art. Hobhouse joined theWhig government as Irish Secretary. Hobhouse also held ministerial posts under Viscount Melbourne (1835-41) and Lord John Russell (1846-1852). Hobhouse was granted the title Lord Broughton just before he retired from politics in 1852. John Cam Hobhouse died in 1869.