23 Facts About Francis Horner

Francis Horner FRSE was a Scottish Whig politician, journalist, lawyer and political economist.

Francis Horner was born in Edinburgh the son of John Horner a linen merchant and his wife Joanna Baillie.

Francis Horner was educated at the High School in Edinburgh under Dr Alexander Adam.

Francis Horner then spent a year at a private school in Shacklewell near London under John Hewlett.

Francis Horner then studied law at University of Edinburgh, where he was praised by Professor Dugald Stewart as an intellectual all-rounder.

Francis Horner left the university in 1795 and went with Rev John Hewlett to Middlesex, where he almost lost his Scottish accent.

Francis Horner was a member of the Speculative Society and the Academy of Physics, the Chemical and Literary societies, as well as others.

Francis Horner read David Hume's history in August 1800 and wrote: "The history of Britain, during the eighteenth century, haunts me like a dream; and I am alternately intoxicated with visions of historic laurels and of forensic eminence".

In 1802, Horner was one of the founders of the Edinburgh Review, and in the next few years he would contribute fourteen articles to that journal.

Francis Horner's proposers were Sir James Hall, John Playfair and Thomas Allan.

Francis Horner was MP for St Ives in 1806, Wendover in 1807, and St Mawes in 1812.

Francis Horner translated Leonhard Euler's Elements of Algebra in 1797 and revised Henry Bennet's Short Account of a late Short Administration for publication in 1807.

Francis Horner was offered a Treasury secretaryship in 1811 when Lord Grenville was attempting to form a ministry, which he refused as he would not accept office until he was wealthy enough to survive out of office.

Francis Horner subsequently was appointed chairman of the Bullion Committee, where he "extended and confirmed his fame as a political economist by his share in the famous Bullion Report".

On 20 February 1811 Francis Horner advocated the repeal of restrictions on cash payments and on 6 May put forward sixteen resolutions in favour but they were countered on 26 June by government counter-resolutions.

Francis Horner believed the two-party system hindered the rational debate of sensible policy solutions which prevented ideas being debated on their merits.

Francis Horner further claimed that the British war policy should be based on "the principles by which Elizabeth was guided, and afterwards King William; forbearing all little bye objects of gain and aggrandisement, and keeping steadily in view, through all fortunes and in the lowest depth of our despair, the ultimate partition of the Continent into independent states, and the revival of a public law in Europe".

Francis Horner opposed the Bourbon restoration in France and Naples.

Francis Horner's proposed Bill for regulation grand juries on indictments in Ireland was passed in 1816 and Grand Jury Act 1816 became law.

Francis Horner resided in Pisa from December 1816 and died there a few months later.

Francis Horner is buried in the Old English Cemetery at Livorno and has a statue in Westminster Abbey by the sculptor Sir Francis Chantrey.

Francis Horner was a man of sound judgment and unassuming manners, of scrupulous integrity, and great amiability of character.

Francis Horner was a correct and forcible speaker, and though without the gift of eloquence or humour, exercised a remarkable influence in the House of Commons, owing to his personal character.