James O’Brien from Granard Co Longford was one of the leaders of Chartism in England. Chartism, which took its name from the People’s Charter of 1838, was a working class movement which sought political reform in Great Britain. Other people from Ireland who became involved in Chartism at the time included Feargus O’Connor, a lawyer from Cork and John Tyndall, a scientist from Carlow.

The reforms sought by the Chartists included, the secret ballot, a vote for every man over twenty-one years old and payment for members of parliament. Chartism, which existed from 1838 to 1868 did not immediately bring about reforms. However most of the reforms it sought were eventually implemented. Secret voting was introduced in 1872, payment for members of parliament was introduced in 1911 and every man over 21 and every woman over 30 was given the vote in the 1918 General Election.

James O’Brien was born in February 1805. He was educated locally in Granard and later at Edgeworthstown School about 15km away. He entered Trinity College Dublin in 1822 and having graduated with an honours BA degree in 1825 he studied law at the King’s Inns in Dublin. At Trinity he was the winner of several academic prizes.

In 1829 O’Brien moved to London where he enrolled as a law student at Gray’s Inn in March 1830, intending to practice at the English Bar. However he became involved in political journalism and joined the London Workingman’s Association in 1836. He wrote articles for the Poor Man’s Guardian which he signed ‘Bronterre’. He later adopted Bornterre as his middle name. He became one of the most important and influential of the Chartist leaders.

Some of the leaders of Chartism advocated physical force to gain their objectives. O’Brien was one of those considered by the government to be an advocate of physical force. There were several outbreaks of violence during 1839. An uprising took place in Newport south Wales where a confrontation between Chartists and soldiers led to over twenty deaths. Many of the leaders were arrested and transported to Van Diemen’s Land, now Tasmania. O’Brien was arrested in 1840 and found guilty of sedition and imprisoned for eighteen months.

Following his release he continued his involvement in politics. He was one of the founders of the National Reform League in 1850. The League was a strong advocate of socialist objectives. He continued to write for various publications and founded a school in London in 1851. The school provided classes for adults in subjects such as English, Mathematics and French.

James Brontere O’Brien from Granard, Co Longford died at his home in Pentonville, London in the year 1864 On This Day.

Photo by anterotesis

James “Bronterre” O’Brien by anterotesis on 2009-06-14 06:57:23

Photo by National Library of Ireland on The Commons

Neddies, ghosts, shawlies and corner boys galore! by National Library of Ireland on The Commons on 1905-01-01 00:00:00