Became M.P. for the Sheffield constituency in 1849. He generally opposed the government of the day, whatever its views. He opposed anyone who disagreed with him so vigorously his nickname was 'Tear 'em'. He was challenged to a duel on more than one occasion. His views were not always popular with Sheffield voters: he once referred to working men as wife-beaters and spendthrifts: he strongly denounced the trade unionist Sheffield Outrages in 1867 and during the American Civil War was a firm supporter of the slave-owning southern states. He lost his seat in Sheffield in the election of 1868 but regained it in 1874. He was made a privy councillor by the Tory government in 1878. Died at Westminster in 1879.