John Cam Hobhouse, 1st and last Baron Broughton of Broughton-de-Gyfford

John Cam Hobhouse, 1st Baron Broughton, PC (27 June 1786–3 June 1869), known as Sir John Cam Hobhouse, Bt from 1831 to 1851, was a British politician and memoirist. The eldest son of Sir Benjamin Hobhouse, he was born at Redland near Bristol, educated at Westminster School and at Cambridge, where he became intimate with Lord Byron, and accompanied him in his journeys in the Peninsula, Greece, and acted as his "best man". In 1816 he was with him after his separation from his wife, and contributed notes to the fourth canto of Childe Harold, which was dedicated to him.

On his return he threw himself into politics with great energy as an advanced Radical, and wrote various pamphlets, for one of which he was in 1819 imprisoned in Newgate. In the following year he entered Parliament, sitting for Westminster.

Hobhouse is credited with the invention of the phrase His Majesty's (Loyal) Opposition made in 1826 during a speech in the House of Commons[1]

After the attainment of power by the Whigs he held various offices, including those of Secretary at War, Chief Secretary for Ireland, and President of the Board of Control.

He published Journey through Albania (1813), Historical Illustrations of the Fourth Canto of Childe Harold (1818), and Recollections of a Long Life (1865), for private circulation, and he left in MS. Diaries, Correspondence, and Memoranda, etc., not to be opened till 1900, extracts from which were published by his daughter, Lady Dorchester, also under the title of Recollections from a Long Life (1909).

He is buried at Kensal Green Cemetery, London. His barony died with him, as he had no direct heirs, whilst the baronetcy created for his father passed to Broughton's nephew.

He was educated at Westminster School, Westminster, London, England.

He graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge University, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, in 1808 with a Bachelow of Arts (B.A.).

In 1809 he went to Albania with Lord Byron.

He graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge University, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, in 1811 with a Master of Arts (M.A.).

He was invested as a Fellow, Royal Society (F.R.S.) on 19 May 1814.1 Between December 1819 and February 1820 he was committed to Newgate Prison for his pamphlet. A trifling mistake, which the House of Commons held to be a breach of privilege.

He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Westminster between 1820 and 1833.

He was a partner of Whitbread and Company, Brewers at London, England.

In 1830 he was one of the six founders of the Geographical Society.

He succeeded to the title of 2nd Baronet Hobhouse [U.K., 1812] on 14 August 1831.

He held the office of Secretary at War between 1832 and 1833.1 He was invested as a Privy Counsellor (P.C.) on 6 February 1832.

He held the office of Chief Secretary for Ireland from March 1833 to May 1833.

He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Nottingham between 1834 and 1847.

He was Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests between July 1834 and November 1834.

He held the office of President of the Board of Control between 1835 and 1841.

He held the office of President of the Board of Control between 1846 and 1852.

He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Harwich between 1848 and 1851.

He was created 1st Baron Broughton of Broughton-de-Gyfford, Wiltshire [U.K.] on 26 February 1851.

He was invested as a Knight Grand Cross, Order of the Bath (G.C.B.) on 23 February 1852.

He wrote the book Recollections of a Long Life, published 1865, in 6 volumes.

On his death, his title became extinct.