Thomas Hardy (3 March 1752 – 11 October 1832) was a British shoemaker who was an early Radical, and the founder, first Secretary, and Treasurer of the London Corresponding Society.
Early life
Thomas Hardy was born on 3 March 1752 in Larbert, Stirlingshire, Scotland, the son of a merchant seaman. His father died in 1760 at sea while Thomas was still a boy. He was sent to school by his maternal grandfather In 1791, Hardy opened his own boot and shoe shop at 9 Piccadilly, London. It was during his imprisonment that Hardy's wife died, leaving him with an unfinished letter declaring her love for him. The charges were prosecuted with Sir John Scott leading for the Crown, and William Garrow
See also
- Garrow's Law, BBC dramatisation based on Hardy's trial (episode 4, series 1)