The Last of the Tories Political Selections from the Diaries of the Fourth Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne, 1839 - 1850

The diaries of the fourth duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne (1785‒1851) provide an unrivalled insight into political events during the late-1830s and 1840s, from the perspective of a prominent Tory critic.

• At a time of Conservative revival under Sir Robert Peel, Newcastle used his position in the house of lords, his family’s historic electoral influence, and personal contacts with politicians and writers, to defend the status quo
• Newcastle’s diaries provide invaluable detail on these activities, offering important testimony on the Conservative party’s disruption in 1845‒6 and subsequent attempts to rebuild the party following the Repeal of the Corn Laws
• They also illustrate Newcastle’s uncompromising views on personalities and events, and his hopes and fears for the country in its domestic and foreign policy
• This edition reproduces the political content of the diaries for the period 1839‒50, as well as Newcastle’s published letters to the press, and is supplemented by a biographical appendix, an itinerary of Newcastle’s movements, and a comprehensive index
• Taken together, the volume demonstrates why Newcastle was described by Punch magazine in 1845 as ‘The Last of the Tories’

Richard A. Gaunt is Associate Professor in History at the University of Nottingham. He has been the joint editor of Parliamentary History since 2013.

List of Figures and Plates

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Introduction

A Reluctant and Recalcitrant Peelite: Newcastle as Ultra-Tory, 1838–46

(I) A Watching Brief

(II) The Crises of 1845–6

Apotheosis or Atrophy? Newcastle and the Protectionists, 1846–50

(I) Conservative Disunion

(II) Catholic Emancipation, Jewish Relief

(III) Protection and Relief

Newcastle’s Death and Legacy

The Manuscript

Editorial Conventions of Transcription

The Diaries:

1839

1840

1841

1842

1843

1844

1845

1846

1847

1848

1849

1850

Appendix A: Newcastle’s Published Letters to the Press

Appendix B: Newcastle’s Movements

Biographical Appendix

Index

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.