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[[Image: Gladstone.jpg|thumb|right|220px|William Ewart Gladstone, four times [[Prime Minister]] of the [[United Kingdom]]]]

[[Image: Gladstone.jpg|thumb|right|220px|William Ewart Gladstone, four times [[Prime Minister]] of the [[United Kingdom]]]]

'''William Ewart Gladstone''' (1809–1898) was a British statesman and four-time [[Prime Minister]] (1868–1874, 1880–1885, 1886 and 1892–1894). He is best known for his extensive political reforms and skilled oratory. A scholar as well as a politician, he was the primary political rival of [[Benjamin Disraeli]]. Still considered to be one of Britain's greatest Prime Ministers, Gladstone was the inspiration for [[Winston Churchill]] and others.

'''William Ewart Gladstone''' (1809–1898) was a British statesman and four-time [[Prime Minister]] (1868–1874, 1880–1885, 1886 and 1892–1894) of the [[British Liberal Party]]. He is best known for his extensive political reforms and skilled oratory. A scholar as well as a politician, he was the primary political rival of [[Benjamin Disraeli]]. Still considered to be one of Britain's greatest Prime Ministers, Gladstone was the inspiration for [[Winston Churchill]] and others.

==Early Life and Tory Minister==

==Early Life and Tory Minister==

Born in 1809 in [[Liverpool]] to a well-off merchant family, Gladstone was educated at [[Eton College]] and [[Oxford University]] before entering [[Parliament]] in 1832 as Conservative MP for [[Newark]]. In his early career, Gladstone was regarded as a 'stern and unbending Tory' and a High Anglican. In 1839, he married [[Catherine Glynne]], who remained together until Gladstone’s death 59 years later.

Born in 1809 in [[Liverpool]] to a well-off merchant family, Gladstone was educated at [[Eton College]] and [[Oxford University]] before entering [[Parliament]] in 1832 as Conservative MP for [[Newark]]. In his early career, Gladstone was regarded as a 'stern and unbending Tory' and a High Anglican. In 1839, he married Catherine Glynne; they remained together until Gladstone’s death 59 years later.

Gladstone served as President of the Board of Trade (1843-44) during the second ministry of [[Robert Peel]]. He resigned in 1845 over the Maynooth Grant issue, but returned in December as Colonial Secretary. Peel’s government fell in 1846, and Gladstone followed his leader in separation from the [[Conservative Party]]. After Peel’s death in 1850, Gladstone became leader of this ‘Peelite’ faction in the House of Commons.

Gladstone served as President of the Board of Trade (1843-44) during the second ministry of [[Robert Peel]]. He resigned in 1845 over the Maynooth Grant issue, but returned in December as Colonial Secretary. Peel’s government fell in 1846, and Gladstone followed his leader in separation from the [[Conservative Party]]. After Peel’s death in 1850, Gladstone became leader of this ‘Peelite’ faction in the House of Commons.

==Conservative to Liberal==

==Conservative to Liberal==

In an historic move, Gladstone joined [[Lord Palmerston|Palmerston’s]] new [[Liberal]] government in 1859 as [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]]. In this post, Gladstone was steadily able to reduce income tax during his time in office. He had originally opposed further electoral reform, but by 1865, was in favour of extending the franchise to the working classes in the towns.

In an historic move, Gladstone joined [[Lord Palmerston|Palmerston’s]] new [[British Liberal Party|Liberal]] government in 1859 as [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]]. In this post, Gladstone was steadily able to reduce income tax during his time in office. He had originally opposed further electoral reform, but by 1865, was in favour of extending the franchise to the working classes in the towns.

Palmerston died in 1865 and was replaced by [[John Russell]], who in turn retired in 1867, making Gladstone leader of the Liberal Party. The Liberals won the 1868 general election and Gladstone became [[Prime Minister]], in a government described as ‘the greatest of the 19th century’. A number of important reforms were passed, such as the disestablishment of the unpopular [[Church of Ireland]] in 1869, the [[Forster Education Act]] of 1870, which provided free primary education for all, and the 1872 [[Ballot Act]], which ensured a secret ballot in all future elections.

Palmerston died in 1865 and was replaced by [[John Russell]], who in turn retired in 1867, making Gladstone leader of the Liberal Party. The Liberals won the 1868 general election and Gladstone became [[Prime Minister]], in a government described as ‘the greatest of the 19th century’. A number of important reforms were passed, such as the disestablishment of the unpopular [[Church of Ireland]] in 1869, the [[Forster Education Act]] of 1870, which provided free primary education for all, and the 1872 [[Ballot Act]], which ensured a secret ballot in all future elections.

His unguarded comment caused some harm to Anglo-American relations for many years, but the unexpected victory of the Northern States had an important effect on Gladstone’s outlook. His prejudice slowly disappeared, and eventually came to regard American democracy as one of humanity’s supreme achievements. He later described the [[United States Constitution|American Constitution]] as: 'the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man.'

His unguarded comment caused some harm to Anglo-American relations for many years, but the unexpected victory of the Northern States had an important effect on Gladstone’s outlook. His prejudice slowly disappeared, and eventually came to regard American democracy as one of humanity’s supreme achievements. He later described the [[United States Constitution|American Constitution]] as: 'the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man.'

==Biographies==

==Biographies==

* John Morley, ''The Life of Gladstone'' (1903)

* John Morley, ''The Life of Gladstone'' (1903)

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[[category:United Kingdom Prime Ministers]]

[[category:United Kingdom Prime Ministers]]