Four-time British prime minister and face of the Liberal Party; the Chancellor of the 1863 budget speech
Born in Liverpool in 1809, the son of a wealthy Scottish merchant and slave owner, he was educated at Eton and Oxford. Entering the Commons in 1832 as a High Tory, he served in Peel's governments, left with the Peelites in 1846 and joined the new Liberal Party in 1859. As Chancellor of the Exchequer under Aberdeen (1852–1855), Palmerston (1859–1865) and Russell (1865–1866) he pursued the repeal of taxes and protectionist barriers. Prime minister for the first time in 1868, he disestablished the Church of Ireland and introduced secret voting; his second ministry (1880–1885) passed the Third Reform Act. He was prime minister four times, including 1886, when Irish home rule split his party, and 1892–1894, resigning in 1894 at 84. He died at Hawarden Castle in 1898.
Activities and affiliations
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1834–1846
Conservative Party (United Kingdom)
Legislature and state representation -
1852–1866
United Kingdom state institutionsChancellor of the Exchequer
Economy, finance and planning -
1859–1895
Political and party leadership
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1868–1894
United Kingdom state institutionsPrime MinisterMain
Political and party leadership
Career Timeline
- 1832Entered the House of Commons as a Tory
- 1852–1855Chancellor of the Exchequer under Aberdeen
- 1859–1866Chancellor of the Exchequer under Palmerston and Russell
- 1868–1874Prime Minister (first ministry)
- 1880–1885Prime Minister (second ministry)
- 1886Prime Minister (third ministry)
- 1892–1894Prime Minister (fourth ministry)