Edmund Burke (1729-1797), writer and politician. Born in Dublin, Burke came to London in 1750 where he spent almost 30 years in the House of Commons (1765-94), gaining a reputation as a skilful orator. Latterly principally known for philosophical and political writings, particularly Burke's Philosophical Enquiry (1757, expanded 2nd edn 1759) and his Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790). (See Ruskin and Burke)