William Lovett
From Cornwall
Self educated, artisan
Became a cabinet-maker and carpenter
Believed in moral force – political pressure and non-violent agitation
Anti-milita association – refusing to serve or pay for substitution on the ground he was unrepresented on. His protests were discussed in the Commons due to the fear of an epidemic of "the no-vote no-musket plan" which led to the balloting system being abandoned Got involved in trade unions with the Metropolitan Trades Union, and through Owenite socialism
1931 - formed the National Union of the Working Classes during Reform Act agitation
Post 1932 Reform Act he became involved in the “war of the unstamped” press. 1936 = SUCCESS
One founder of London Working Men's Association (LWMA) June 1936. Focus on education for the working class
Helped draw up the people’s charter: It was a Bill that addressed in detail the arrangements for wider enfranchisement (but not of women), registration and annual parliamentary elections, and over a million persons signed a petition in its favour Authorities took draconian measures to stamp chartism out.
1938-48 = three attempts to get the charter enacted in parliament
Like most leading Chartists, Lovett was arrested and imprisoned for seditious libel. In May 1840 he refused a government offer of early release if they would be bound over to good behaviour for the remainder of the term.
In February 1839 the first Chartist Convention met in London, and on 4 February 1839 unanimously elected Lovett as its Secretary
Lovett and Collins wrote "Chartism, a New Organisation of the People" whilst in jail.
Lovett retired from politics and in 1841 formed the "National Association for Promoting the Political and Social Improvement of the People", an educational body that was to implement his "New Move" educational initiative through which he hoped poor workers and their children would be able to better themselves. O'Connor opposed the scheme in the Northern Star, believing that it would distract Chartists from the main aim of having the petition implemented.
Helped open National Association Hall in 1842 yet it was closed in 1957
Supported temperance and sobriety
Taught anatomy later on