Dilke, Sir Charles Wentworth

Dilke, Sir Charles Wentworth

(dĭlk), 1843–1911, British statesman. A radical leader in the Liberal party, he helped pass the parliamentary Reform ActsReform Acts
or Reform Bills,
in British history, name given to three major measures that liberalized representation in Parliament in the 19th cent. Representation of the counties and boroughs in the House of Commons had not, except for the effects of parliamentary
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 of 1884–85 as well as laws giving the municipal franchise to women, legalizing labor unions, and limiting working hours. Dilke's political career was effectively ended in 1885, when he was named as correspondent in a notorious divorce case.