Political agitator, he was known as the Demosthenes of the Chartist movement. He was a son of Thomas Vincent, a goldsmith. In 1828 Henry became an apprentice printer and soon afterwards joined a Tom Paine discussion group. He was particularly influenced by Paine's ideas on universal suffrage and welfare benefits. After completing his apprenticeship in 1833, he moved back to London where he obtained employment as a printer. He continued to be active in politics and by 1837 he had developed a reputation as one of the best orators involved in the promotion of universal suffrage. In the summer of 1837 he went on a speaking tour of Northern England and helped establish Working Mens' Associations in Hull, Leeds, Bradford, Halifax and Huddersfield. The authorities became concerned about his ability to convert working people to the ideas of universal suffrage. He was followed around by government spies and in May 1838 arrested for making inflammatory speeches. On 2nd August he was tried at Monmouth Assizes and sentenced to twelve months imprisonment. Soon after his release from prison he was rearrested and charged with using "seditious language". He conducted his own defence but he was found guilty and he received another 12 months sentence. After his release from prison in January, 1841, he married Lucy Cleave. They set up home in Bath and began publication of the National Vindicator. He continued to tour the country making speeches on behalf of universal suffrage.
Political agitator, he was known as the Demosthenes of the Chartist movement. He was a son of Thomas Vincent, a goldsmith. In 1828 Henry became an apprentice printer and soon afterwards joined a Tom Paine discussion group. He was particularly influenced by Paine's ideas on universal suffrage and welfare benefits. After completing his apprenticeship in 1833, he moved back to London where he obtained employment as a printer. He continued to be active in politics and by 1837 he had developed a reputation as one of the best orators involved in the promotion of universal suffrage. In the summer of 1837 he went on a speaking tour of Northern England and helped establish Working Mens' Associations in Hull, Leeds, Bradford, Halifax and Huddersfield. The authorities became concerned about his ability to convert working people to the ideas of universal suffrage. He was followed around by government spies and in May 1838 arrested for making inflammatory speeches. On 2nd August he was tried at Monmouth Assizes and sentenced to twelve months imprisonment. Soon after his release from prison he was rearrested and charged with using "seditious language". He conducted his own defence but he was found guilty and he received another 12 months sentence. After his release from prison in January, 1841, he married Lucy Cleave. They set up home in Bath and began publication of the National Vindicator. He continued to tour the country making speeches on behalf of universal suffrage.
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