Sunday, January 22, 2012

Richard Overton The Leveller And Pamphleteer

By Amy Nichols


In 1599 Richard Overton was born to English parents. He is famous for his political literature since he was a writer of pamphlets. His work dwelt mainly on touchy political issues. He was also a member of a certain political organization called the Levellers. This organization was in existence during the English civil war. The political group aimed at fighting for equal rights and justice for all people.

Much of the life of this man remains a mystery. However, it is said he studied at Queens College Cambridge. After college he went into acting and was also a playwright. Soon afterwards he took an interest in politics and started writing pamphlets dealing with touchy political issues. His political stand did not auger well with the government at that time. His open criticism of the regime at that time made him get jailed two times.

Overtone is believed to have published just about fifty very controversial pamphlets. Some of his most widely known ones include 'Articles of High Treason Exhibited Against Cheapside Cross' and 'The Just Man in Bonds.' He mostly wrote articles that argued for equality among all men.

He also adhered to the belief that the legitimacy of the state is created and sustained by the will or consent of its people and not by certain chosen classes of people. It was this belief that made him get involved in plotting a coup against the government. He joined forces with Edward Sexby and John Wildman but their plan failed and he had to head for exile in Flanders.

Before his death in 1664 at the age of sixty five, he took part in Leveller and Loyalist conspiracies and plots against the government. These conspiracies and plots did not bear fruit and they amounted to nothing. Overton later returned to England. Upon his return, he published a revised version of his treatise 'Man Wholly Mortal.'

A lot of information on Richard Overton is still uncertain to date. This is due to the fact that he spent most of his life at loggerheads with the governing authority. He authored a lot of his articles anonymously and he claimed no rights over them. Most of his literature may not be recognized as his work. richard overton




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