Arthur Thistlewood

Arthur Thistlewood (1774–1 May 1820) was an English radical activist and conspirator in the Cato Street Conspiracy.

In January 1804, he married Jane Worsley but she died two years later giving birth to their first child.

In 1817 Thistlewood challenged the Home Secretary, Lord Sidmouth, to a duel and was imprisoned in Horsham gaol for 12 months.

On 22 February 1820 Thistlewood was one of a small group of Spenceans who decided, at the prompting of an undercover police agent George Edwards, to assassinate the British cabinet at a dinner the next day hosted by an earl.

The group gathered in a loft in the Marylebone area of London, where police officers apprehended the conspirators.