John Trenchard

1662–1723

Nationality: English

Historical Period: The 18th Century

John Trenchard (1662-1723) was a radical Whig and Commonwealthman who, along with his collaborator Thomas Gordon (1692-1750), were important voices defending constitutionalism and individual liberty in the 1720s in England. Trenchard came from a prominent family, went to Trinity College, Dublin, and briefly served in the House of Commons. He worked as a journalist in the 1690s writing works criticising the idea of standing armies and the political power of the established church. Trenchard co-wrote The Independent Whig (1720-21) and Cato’s Letters (1720-23) with Gordon. He was a defender of the idea of liberty against political corruption, imperialism and militarism in the early 18th century. Their writings, especially Cato’s Letters, were also much read in the American colonies.

See the Liberty Matters online discussion on John Trenchard and the Opposition to Standing Armies

Quotes from John Trenchard:

• John Trenchard on the dangers posed by a standing army
• John Trenchard identifies who will benefit from any new war “got up” in Italy

Titles from John Trenchard:

• Author: BOLL 61: John Trenchard, “On the Nature of Political Parties” (1721)
• Author: Cato’s Letters, 4 vols. in 2 (LF ed.)
• Author: Cato’s Letters, or Essays on Liberty, Civil and Religious, and Other Important Subjects
• Author: A Collection of Tracts, 2 vols. (1751)
• Author: The Independent Whig, 4 vols. (1720, 1743)