page_title: Thomas Hardy (political reformer)
section_title: Involvement with the London Corresponding Society
hierarchical_section_title: Thomas Hardy (political reformer) / Involvement with the London Corresponding Society
caption_attribution_description: English: A portrait of Thomas Hardy owned by the hotel above the National Liberal Club
context_page_description: Thomas Hardy was a British shoemaker who was an early Radical, and the founder, first Secretary, and Treasurer of the London Corresponding Society.
context_section_description: Around 1792, Hardy founded the London Corresponding Society, starting out with just nine friends. However, they were soon joined by others, including Olaudah Equiano. Two years later, on 12 May 1794, it had grown so powerful that he was arrested by the King's Messenger, two Bow Street Runners, the private secretary to Home Secretary Dundas, and others on Crown charges of high treason. It was during his imprisonment that Hardy's wife died, leaving him with an unfinished letter declaring her love for him. The charges were prosecuted with Sir John Scott leading for the Crown, and William Garrow among the prosecuting counsel; while Hardy was defended by Thomas Erskine. He was acquitted after nine days of testimony and debate, on Guy Fawkes Day, 1794.
caption: Portrait of Hardy at the National Liberal Club
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