Richard Carlile (1790-1843), Radical publisher and writer

Sitter associated with 3 portraits
Artist associated with 1 portrait
Richard Carlile was journalist who was a notable champion of the freedom of the press. He was an early advocate of almost all the radical causes of his time, including the abolition of the monarchy, secular education, and the emancipation of women. A tinsmith by trade, in 1817 Carlile began a new career as a salesman of two radical weeklies, The Black Dwarf and Sherwin's Weekly Political Register. For publishing Thomas Paine's works he was tried in 1819, heavily fined, and sentenced to a three-year term of imprisonment, which was extended to six years for non-payment of the fine. Carlile was later jailed again for refusing to pay fines. In total, he spent more than nine years in prison.