English postal authority, born in Kidderminster. The originator of "penny postage." A schoolmaster for many years, he began the advocacy of postal reform with a pamphlet submitted to Lord Melbourne, Postal Reform; its Importance and Practibility in 1837. He appeared before the commission and described hi invention of the adhesive stamp for use in postage. He secured the adoption of penny postage in the budget in 1839, was on the post office staff from 1840-1842, was secretary to the postmaster general in 1846, secretary to the post office from 1854-1864, and was Knighted in 1860.