3-082-603 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Right Hon. Charles Abbot, afterwards Lord Colchester - Speaker from 1802 to 1817, (1895). 'The Speakers of the Century. Since the beginning of the century there have been seven Speakers of the House of Commons, five of whom have occupied this exalted office during the Queen's reign. The Right hon. Charles Abbot was a barrister of greater industry than high rank. He sat in the House of Commons for many years, and proved himself an excellent Chairman of the Select Committees of Finance. After fifteen years' service as Speaker, he was called to the Upper House, where he accomplished two or three useful reforms, including the establishment of a library on the same plan as that of the House of Commons'. From "Illustrated London News", 1895.