William Molesworth, the son of Sir Arscott-Ourry Molesworth, was born
in Upper Brook Street, London, on 23rd
May, 1810. Molesworth was disfigured in childhood by scrofula and
this resulted in considerable teasing about his looks while at boarding-school.
Molesworth studied at Edinburgh University
(1824-27) and Cambridge University (1827-28).
After quarrelling with his mathematics tutor Molesworth left for Germany.
This dispute eventually resulted in a duel, but neither man was hurt.
Influenced by the religious and political ideas of Jeremy
Bentham and James Mill, Molesworth became
involved in the campaign for parliamentary
reform. In the 1832 General Election,
Molesworth was elected to represent East Cornwall.
In 1834 Molesworth and John Stuart Mill founded
the Radical journal, the London Review.
Two years later, the two men purchased the Westminster
Review and merged the two journals. Over the next few years
the journal gave its support to radical politicians such as Thomas
Wakley, Joseph Brotherton, Thomas
Duncombe and Thomas Attwood, who were
advocating further reform of the House of Commons.
Interested in the subject of penal reform, Molesworth wrote an influential
report in 1837 condemning the system of transportation. He attacked
this measures for many years and contributed to its ultimate abandonment.
He also supported all measures for colonial self-government and favoured
religious toleration and called for "complete
religious liberty and equality and the removal of the disabilities
of the Jews".
Molesworth's radical views made him unpopular with his wealthy, landowning
constituents, and in 1837 was forced to seek a seat in a more progressive
area. In July, 1837, he was elected with Edward
Baines to represent Leeds. However,
his decision to hold a peace meeting during the dispute with France,
lost him the support of the voters and he decided not to stand in
the 1840 General Election.
Molesworth returned to the House of Commons
in September, 1845, when he defeated the Tory
Party candidate in Southwark. He supported the Whig
government of Lord John Russell and when
the Earl of Aberdeen became prime minister
in 1853, he appointed Molesworth as his Commissioner of the Board
Works.
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