The Cambridge History of English and American Literature in 18 Volumes (1907–21). Volume XIV. The Victorian Age, Part Two. II. Historians, Biographers and Political Orators. § 69. Whitbread. Samuel Whitbread had been educated with the same care as Windham and, by his marriage with the sister of his school-fellow, afterwards earl Grey, was brought near to the innermost whig circle, though his wealth was derived from the great trading concern in which he was a partner. Long a devoted follower of Fox, he was fearless in the denunciation of all kinds of abuses; during the last six years of his life, he is said to have been the most frequent speaker in the house of commons, and was the soul of the agitation in favour of the princess of Wales. His vehemence of manner was a constant source of derision to satirists with pen or picture, who always remembered the brewery; but, though his impetuosity reflected his enthusiasm for what he held right, he could, as both Sheridan and Burdett found, be prudent on occasion.   112