Henry Peter Brougham was a Whig politician and a reformer who rose to become Lord Chancellor between 1830 and 1834. Born and educated in Edinburgh, Brougham became an advocate in 1800 and was called to the English bar in 1808 where he soon achieved success. He entered Parliament two years later and campaigned prominently for the abolition of slavery. As Lord Chancellor he strongly supported the Reform Bill of 1832, which extended voting rights to about seven percent of the male population. He was also interested in education and took the lead in creating the University of London. A great public speaker as well as an eccentric, for some years Brougham’s personality provoked huge amounts of interest, although not necessarily much respect or trust.