Samuel Whitbread (1764–1815)

Samuel Whitbread (1764–1815) was a prominent British politician and brewer of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Bedford from 1790 until his death. He belonged to the Whig party and was known for his staunch advocacy of social reform, particularly concerning education, poverty relief, and the treatment of the poor.

Whitbread was a leading figure in the movement for the impeachment of Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville, for alleged misappropriation of public funds. He championed parliamentary reform, advocating for a wider franchise and fairer representation. He also actively supported the abolition of slavery and improvements in the conditions of working people.

As head of the Whitbread brewery, a significant enterprise in London, he took a paternalistic approach to his employees, providing them with housing and healthcare. He played a significant role in the redevelopment of Drury Lane Theatre following a fire in 1809, becoming chairman of its committee.

Whitbread's later years were marked by personal struggles and political disappointments. He became increasingly disillusioned with the political climate and suffered from mental health issues. Tragically, he took his own life in 1815. Despite his untimely death, Samuel Whitbread is remembered as a committed reformer and a significant figure in British political history.