Biography

John Christian Curwen (1756-1828)

John Christian Curwen who lived at Workington Hall was a significant figure in Agricultural Enlightenment. He developed the experimental Schoose Farm and founded the Workington Agricultural Society which had a major impact on local agriculture in the nineteenth century. In 1818 he published Observations on the State of Ireland in which he expressed shock at the poverty that he had witnessed and support for agrarian reform.

Curwen served as MP for Carlisle for much of his adult life (1786-1790 & 1791-1812 & 1816-1820) where his commitment to local matters extended to a dramatic appearance in parliament “dressed like a Cumberland labourer and carrying a loaf and cheese under his arm” when promoting the interests of his constituents. He supported William Wilberforce’s campaign for the abolition of the slave trade and the Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1791; he also campaigned against the Corn Laws.

John Christian’s first marriage was to the daughter of the John Taubmann, the Speaker of the House of Keys on the Isle of Man. His second marriage was on 5 October 1782 to his cousin Isabella Curwen after which he took her name. Isabella was the daughter of Henry Curwen of Workington and reported to be the wealthiest heiress in the North. The couple were patrons of the stroller Charlotte Lowes who believed they supported her because she was Cumbrian.

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