Roebuck, John Arthur (1801–1879)

Indian-born British politician. He held radical views, and among his projects was a forerunner of the Asquith Parliament Act, limiting the veto of the House of Lords. He was an independent member, but in sympathy with the Radicals, and became an original member of the Reform Club in 1836. In 1855 he moved for an inquiry into the conduct of the Crimean War, and was thus instrumental in bringing about the fall of the George Aberdeen ministry. Later he abandoned his alliance with the Radicals and supported Benjamin Disraeli's Eastern policy.

Roebuck was born in Madras (now Chennai), India, and educated in Canada. He settled in England, and was called to the Bar in 1831. In the following year he entered Parliament.