
Jim Peake
Head of Department
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John Wilkes (1727-1797) was a controversial MP and journalist who played a critical role in the development of radical politics. The number '45' refers to issue 45 of the 'North Briton', a satirical pamphlet published by Wilkes, in which he mocked the King's speech at the opening of Parliament in April 1763. He was subsequently tried and convicted for seditious libel but freed under Parliamentary Privilege. His supporters used the phrase 'Wilkes, Liberty and Number 45' to show their support for him. He gained something of a following in America, which was preparing for independence from Britain in the 1770s. Decoration in red and black in this style is traditionally attributed to the Robinson and Rhodes workshop in Leeds, but similar work was also done at Staffordshire.