Richard Cobden 1804 - 1865

The Richard Cobden Public House was built in 1869 by the Rock Brewery of Brighton, and was originally named The Cobden Arms.

Richard Cobden was born in Sussex and spent his early life in poverty. By the age of 25 he had set up a calico business which prospered such that by 1836 he was indulging his desire to travel and toured widely in Europe, Russia, America and Egypt, and what he saw prompted him to warn in print of the growing economic power of the United States.

By 1839 he had formed the anti corn law league (which opposed the artificial control of the price of corn) and was influential in the eventual repeal of these laws in 1846.

In 1841 he was elected as an MP

Cobden had long been an advocate of free trade, believing it was vital if the major powers were to avoid war, and at the request of Chancellor William Gladstone he brokered a trade treaty with France.
He was passionate in favour of the North in the American Civil War, but did not live to see the Union victory, dying of bronchitis in April, 1865 aged 60.

He is buried at Lavington in Sussex.