Red Clydeside

Literature and propaganda

Jail jottings

With an introductory account of Carlile's mock trials for blasphemy, and his speech from the dock

1913

Richard Carlile was a famous 19th-century advocate of political reform and a tireless campaigner for freedom of speech and freedom of the press. He made his reputation in political circles as a publisher of radical newspapers such as 'Sherwin's Political Register', 'The Republican' and 'The Gauntlet'.

Carlile was a constant thorn in the side of the British political establishment and was sentenced to two long terms of imprisonment by the authorities for writing and publishing articles condemning the undemocratic nature of 18th-century British governance.

Richard Carlile is widely recognised as playing a crucial role in the development of a free press in Britain and remains an important figure in the history of working class emancipation.

Source: Guy Aldred Collection, Strathclyde University Special Collections