Modern English biography, volume 1 (of 4), A-H by Frederic Boase

ATTWOOD, THOMAS (_brother of the preceding_). _b._ Howe house, Hales Owen, 6 Oct. 1783; a banker and manufacturer at Birmingham and London; opposed orders in council of 1807 and 1809 prohibiting all trade between England and the ports occupied by the French, the orders were partly revoked June 1812; originated abolition of East India monopoly 1813; one of the 3 founders of Birmingham Political Union 1829 which contributed largely towards passing of the Reform bill; presented with freedom of city of London 23 May 1832; M.P. for Birmingham 12 Dec. 1832 to Jany. 1840; presented to House of Commons the Chartist petition signed by 1280000 people, 14 June 1839; author of _Letters of a Scotch banker_, first published anonymously in _The Globe_ 1828. _d._ Great Malvern 6 March 1856. _Dents Old and new Birmingham, section_ 2, (1880) 349–52. NOTE.—There is a statue of him in Stephenson place New st. Birmingham, which was unveiled 7 June 1858. He is the “King Tom” of Cobbett’s Weekly Register. ATWOOD, REV. HENRY ADAMS SERGISON. _b._ St. Margaret’s Westminster 13 Jany. 1800; ed. at Queen’s coll. Ox., B.A. 1822, M.A. 1824; F.R.A.S. 1827; R. of Ashelworth, Gloucs. 1839 to death; author of _A new version of the Book of Psalms in verse by H. A. S. A._