Can anyone suggest some good books on the Duke of Wellington and the reppeal of the corn laws?

by Turnshroud

I'm wanting to read up on the topic but I don't know where to start

Red_Vancha

Yep!

Aspects of British History 1815-1914 (Stephen J. Lee) covers the main ministry of Duke Wellington from 1828-30, and his involvement in the Catholic Emancipation Act*. It also has a whole chapter about the Corn Laws and their repeal, giving an account of both campaigns for and against the repeal and the social, economic, and political effects of the repeal. In the 'radicalism' chapter, it also explores how and why it was passed in the first place.

*He was PM for like a fortnight in 1834 when Peel was away. He was also very briefly Foreign Secretary. What a life, eh?

British Social and Economic History 1700-1964 (C. P. Hill) is a book I cannot recommend enough if you want a holistic, socio-economic analysis of this period, which at the centre is the Industrial Revolution and its effects. There is nothing much in the way of political history*, so not a good book for Wellington. However, it too gives alot of focus to the Corn Laws, exploring its impact on agriculture from 1815-46, its part in the 'Mid-Victorian Boom', and its passing in the post-war years, while also documenting the gradual rise in free trade (Huskisson, Gladstone etc.), and its affect on Britain's trade. I find it quite critical of governments, especially Lord Liverpool's - he rips it out of them, stating that 'nor was Britain to have again a government so out of touch with the needs of the people as to that of the years after Waterloo'. He also takes a massive dump on Lord Sidmouth. Good on him!

*It does cover the working-class groups (Chartists) and their pressure for parliamentary reform - but other than that, zilch

Britain 1783-1851: From Disaster to Triumph? (triumph surely...) (C. Evers ft. D. Welbourne), whilst basically being a sixth form/college textbook, is your go-to book for the A.C.L.L - the Anti-Corn Law League (ACLL massif!). If you want to know what the league was, why it started, who was involved, what it did, how it basically lead to the repeal of the Corn Laws, then you won't find much better than this. It also gives a great account of the build-up to repeal, much like in Aspects, but citing more sources (speeches and letters and stuff), more arguments, and has a better narrative of it. It also devotes a whole chapter to both the Tories from 1822-29, and the Catholic Emancipation Act, so it will have alot of information on Wellington aswell.