Subject

Politician. Born at 7 Queen Square, Liverpool. Entered parliament in 1828. He played a leading part in humanitarian reforms, including the abolition of capital punishment for minor offences and of hanging prisoners in chains. His greatest achievement however, and part of our raison d'etre was his proposal in 1863 of plaques in honour of celebrated people. The first was erected by the Royal Society of Arts in 1867. Died at Broadleas, near Devizes, Wiltshire.
Note: His father (also named William Ewart) was godfather to William Ewart Gladstone, which explains the shared name.