# Adullamites

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Anti-reform faction within the UK Liberal Party

The **Adullamites** were a short-lived anti-[reform](/source/Reform_Acts) faction within the [UK Liberal Party](/source/Liberal_Party_(UK)) in 1866. The name was a [biblical](/source/Bible) reference to the [cave of Adullam](/source/Cave_of_Adullam) where [David](/source/David) and his allies sought refuge from [Saul](/source/Saul).

After the death of [Palmerston](/source/Henry_John_Temple%2C_3rd_Viscount_Palmerston) in 1865, a second Reform Act became a priority for the Liberal Party.[1] However, not all sections of the party agreed with this agenda. The most important internal opposition came from the Adullamites. The faction was led by [Robert Lowe](/source/Robert_Lowe%2C_1st_Viscount_Sherbrooke) and [Lord Elcho](/source/Francis_Charteris%2C_10th_Earl_of_Wemyss). The name, coined by [John Bright](/source/John_Bright), was a biblical reference that would have been widely understood at the time.[2] After repeated attacks on [Gladstone](/source/William_Ewart_Gladstone)'s bill, they finally defeated the government over an amendment to the Bill on 18 June 1866, which was carried by 315 to 304. This vote gave the [Prime Minister](/source/Prime_Minister_of_the_United_Kingdom), [Russell](/source/John_Russell%2C_1st_Earl_Russell), cause to resign. There was an abortive attempt to form a [Conservative](/source/Conservative_Party_(UK))/Adullamite coalition. However, the Adullamites were not prepared to accept [Disraeli](/source/Benjamin_Disraeli%2C_1st_Earl_of_Beaconsfield) as leader and negotiations broke down. This led to the formation of the [Third Derby–Disraeli ministry](/source/Third_Derby%E2%80%93Disraeli_ministry) - who, ultimately, proposed [their own reform bill](/source/Reform_Act_1867). The Adullamites (with some exceptions) then returned to the Liberal party.[3]

## Prominent Adullamites

- [Augustus Anson](/source/Augustus_Anson)

- [Sir George Bowyer, Bt.](/source/Sir_George_Bowyer%2C_7th_Baronet)

- [Frederick Doulton](/source/Frederick_Doulton)

- [Lord Dunkellin](/source/Ulick_de_Burgh%2C_Lord_Dunkellin)

- [Lord Elcho](/source/Francis_Charteris%2C_10th_Earl_of_Wemyss)

- [Edward Ellice](/source/Edward_Ellice_(Scottish_politician))

- [William Henry Gregory](/source/William_Henry_Gregory)

- [The Earl Grey](/source/Henry_Grey%2C_3rd_Earl_Grey)

- [Earl Grosvenor](/source/Hugh_Grosvenor%2C_1st_Duke_of_Westminster)

- [Gilbert Heathcote](/source/Gilbert_Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby%2C_1st_Earl_of_Ancaster)

- [Edward Horsman](/source/Edward_Horsman)

- [Samuel Laing](/source/Samuel_Laing_(science_writer))

- [The Marquess of Lansdowne](/source/Henry_Petty-Fitzmaurice%2C_4th_Marquess_of_Lansdowne)

- [The Earl of Lichfield](/source/Thomas_Anson%2C_2nd_Earl_of_Lichfield)

- [Robert Lowe](/source/Robert_Lowe%2C_1st_Viscount_Sherbrooke)

- [Sir Robert Peel, Bt.](/source/Sir_Robert_Peel%2C_3rd_Baronet)

- [Sir Richard Williams-Bulkeley, Bt.](/source/Sir_Richard_Williams-Bulkeley%2C_10th_Baronet)

## See also

- [Liberal Unionist Party](/source/Liberal_Unionist_Party) - split from the Liberals in 1886 over Irish Home Rule

- [National Liberal Party (UK, 1931)](/source/National_Liberal_Party_(UK%2C_1931))

- [Social Democratic Party (UK)](/source/Social_Democratic_Party_(UK)) - split from the Labour Party in 1981 and ultimately merged with the Liberals

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Charles Seymour: *Electoral reforms of England and Wales. The development and operation of parliamentary franchise.* University of Yale, New Haven 1915, S. 533.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** George Macaulay Trevelyan: *Geschichte Englands*. 2. Band von 1603 bis 1918. München 1949, S. 745 f.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Michael Maurer: *Kleine Geschichte Englands.* Reclam, Stuttgart 2002, ISBN 3-15-009616-2, S. 390.

- [*Oxford Dictionary of National Biography*, "Cave of Adullam"](http://www.oxforddnb.com/templates/theme.jsp?articleid=42279)

- Skottowe, B.C. (1887). [*A Short History of Parliament*](https://books.google.com/books?id=W9VVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA304). Social science series. Harper. Retrieved 2021-05-02.

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