14. William Davidson, radical campaigner (1786-1820)

William Davidson was influenced by the ideas of radicals like Thomas Paine after joining the Marylebone Reading Society. He lived with his wife and children near the site of Lord’s old cricket ground. At his trial he claimed in his defence that the government had betrayed the rights of the people as laid down in Magna Carta. [from a private collection]

William Davidson, radical campaigner (1786-1820)