William Henry Ashurst (solicitor)

William Henry Ashurst (1792–1855) was an English solicitor, deeply involved in the radical politics of his time.

Ashurst was born in London 11 February 1792. His father had led an aimless existence, under the impression — due to rumours about his infancy and his likeness to the eminent judge of the name — that he would be some day recognised as belonging to a distinguished family. After some education at a dame school he entered a solicitor's office, and earned his articles. He gained a practice as a solicitor, and married at the age of nineteen (so that he moonlighted also).

Ashurst belonged to a small sect, the 'Freethinking Christians.' He ceased to be a member of any sect, though he regarded his political principles as the logical outcome of the doctrine of human brotherhood. He was much influenced by the political writings of Paine and Franklin. He was an enthusiastic radical, spending both money and labour to advance the cause. His house was one of the first to announce on its walls that it would pay no taxes till the Reform Bill (of 1832) was passed. He was an active member of the common council, and, as under-sheriff for one year, witnessed an execution, which intensified his horror of capital punishment. He took an active part in the agitation against church rates. He refused to pay them himself. He also conducted the well-known Braintree case to a successful result.

In 1840 he attended the World Anti-Slavery Convention in 1840 with his daughters Matilda and Elizabeth. Whilst he was at the conference he had talks with William Lloyd Garrison. Ashurst made contributions towards Garrison's newspaper under a nom de plume.

Ashurst supported the gathering of evidence in favour of Rowland Hill's scheme of postal reform, when it was before the parliamentary committee. He was a supporter of the co-operative movement, and for a time carried on the Spirit of the Age, founded under Robert Owen's influence, till he disapproved of the spirit in which it was written. The friendship with Owen remained unbroken. Ashurst defended many men whom he believed to have been the victims of injustice or oppression, amongst others George Jacob Holyoake on his imprisonment in 1842.

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