Richard Cobden

Richard Cobden was a 19th-century British politician and businessman known for his advocacy of free trade and peace. He believed that reducing tariffs and trade barriers would promote economic growth and improve international relations. Cobden co-founded the Anti-Corn Law League, which successfully campaigned to abolish harsh tariffs on grain, helping to lower food prices. His ideas emphasized the benefits of open markets, cooperation between nations, and peace over military conflict. Cobden's work influenced economic policy and international diplomacy, promoting the idea that free trade could lead to prosperity and harmony among nations.