Fox, Charles James (1749-1806), a brilliant English statesman and speaker, was a friend of the American Colonies in their fight for independence. He also defended the French Revolution (1789-1799) when most British leaders, including Edmund Burke, opposed it (see Burke, Edmund ). Fox was sympathetic, had a warm personality, and was an eloquent speaker.
Fox was born on Jan. 24, 1749, in Westminster, in London. His parents were Henry Fox, a British nobleman and Cabinet minister, and Lady Caroline Lennox, the daughter of a duke. Young Charles was educated at Eton College and at Hertford College at Oxford University. In 1768, he entered Parliament as a Tory but later joined the Whig Party. In 1795, he married his long-time lover, Elizabeth Armistead. Because of his support in Parliament of the American Colonies during the American Revolution (1775-1783), King George III became his enemy. Fox had a major role in bringing to trial Warren Hastings, the governor general (official representative of the British monarch) of India (see Hastings, Warren ). Fox also worked to end the slave trade and to pass the 1792 Libel Act. The Libel Act gave juries—not just a judge—the right to determine what actions amounted to libel (spreading false or damaging statements) as well the guilt of the defendant. Fox became England’s secretary for foreign affairs in 1806. He died in London on Sept. 13, 1806, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. The town of Foxborough (also spelled Foxboro), Massachusetts, was named in his honor for his support of the American Colonies.
