Richard Spooner

Richard Spooner (28 July 1783 – 24 November 1864) was a British businessman and politician. In his youth he was a Radical reformer, but in later life he moved to the political right to become an Ultra-Tory. Early life and family Spooner was born at Birches Green, Erdington, and was the son of Isaac Spooner, a banker and magistrate in nearby Birmingham. Following education at Rugby School, he joined a banking company, where he was in partnership with Thomas Attwood. In 1804 he married Charlotte Wetherell, daughter of Nathan Wetherell, the Dean of Hereford. He was involved in the civic life of Birmingham, helping to found the Mechanics Institute in 1820, of which he was the first president. Radical politics In 1812 Spooner and Attwood led a campaign to repeal the orders in council introduced in 1807 as part of the government's campaign of economic warfare against France. The orders, which severely effected the trade of Birmingham were repealed later in the year. In March 1820 he contested the general election at Boroughbridge, Yorkshire. The constituency was a two-seat "pocket borough" in the hands of the Dukes of Newcastle, who supported the Tory candidates. However, Spooner, running as a Radical, and Marmaduke Lawson, a Whig were elected. Three months later, the Tories managed to have the election of both MPs overturned on petition.