John Wilkes

John Wilkes remains one of the most colourful and intriguing characters of eighteenth-century Britain. While his political career has been much explored, much less has been written about his private life. This biography provides a more comprehensive examination of Wilkes throughout his long life than has hitherto been available. Taking a thematic rather than chronological approach, it is divided into six main chapters covering family, ambition, sex, religion, class and money, which allows a much more rounded picture of Wilkes to emerge.

John Sainsbury is a Professor in the Department of History at Brock University, Canada.