The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Richmond and Lennox, Charles Lennox, 3d duke of
1735–1806, British statesman. He was secretary of state for the south of Europe (1766) and became a staunch defender of the cause of the American colonies. In 1780 he introduced a reform bill that advocated annual Parliaments, manhood suffrage, and equal electoral districts. His famous letter advocating universal suffrage was first published in 1783. Serving in the cabinet as master general of the ordnance (1782–83 and 1784–95), he gradually abandoned the cause of reform.
