This text explains that although Gladstone was among the most revered figures of his age, there was another side to his character - one of sudden bursts of anger and aggressiveness towards opponents. It applies a psychological framework to Gladstone's life to explain this duality of his character.

This book provides a thorough analysis of the political career of William Gladstone, one of the most intriguing figures in modern British history. ‘Gladstone and the Logic of Victorian Politics’ captures the incredible richness of Gladstone’s political journey, tracing his evolution from Tory defender of a theocratic Anglican state to great reforming Liberal Prime Minister, always prepared to champion the ‘masses against the classes’. Each stage in Gladstone’s development is assessed in the light of recent historiographical debates and his own fascinating explanations of his conduct.

Gladstone focuses on the public side of the statesman's life and on those aspects of his private life - such as his religious beliefs and family life - which most affected his career. Besides reflecting the current state of the debate, this study draws on the author's own work in progress on various aspects of Victorian liberalism, including political charisma and nationalism. With its thematic approach, Dr Biagini's short, clear analysis offers an exciting introduction and a flexible teaching aid, with a guide to further reading. Gladstone focuses on the public side of the statesman's life and on those aspects of his private life - such as his religious beliefs and family life - which most affected his career. Besides reflecting the current state of the debate, this study draws on the author's own work in progress on various aspects of Victorian liberalism, including political charisma and nationalism. With its thematic approach, Dr Biagini's short, clear analysis offers an exciting introduction and a flexible teaching aid, with a guide to further reading. A new biographical study of the quintessential Victorian statesman The book has an unusual thematic approach making it easy to look up specific questions Uses a wide range of source material to shed light on Gladstone's life and work

Gladstone is one of the most important political figures in modern British history. He held the office of Prime Minister four times during a turbulent and changing time in Britain's history. Michael Partridge provides a new survey of Gladstone's life and career, placing him firmly in the context of nineteenth-century Britain, and covering both his intriguing private life and his public career. Surveying a broad range of source material, Partridge begins by looking at Gladstone's early life, education and entry to Parliament, before looking at his marriage and service with Peel. He goes on to look in detail at Gladstone's terms as prime minister concluding with his fourth ministry, when Gladstone, by now in his eighties, returned to power. He tried and failed to resolve the problems of Ireland, which had become his great obsession, for the last time and eventually retired from politics in 1894 and died a few years later.

W. E. Gladstone towers over the politics of the nineteenth century. He is known for his policies of financial rectitude, his campaigns to settle the Irish question and his championship of the rights of small nations. He remains the only British Prime Minister to have served for four separate terms. In 1998 an international conference at Chester College brought together Gladstone scholars to mark the centenary of his death, and many of the papers presented on that occasion are published in this volume. Covering the whole of the statesman’s long political life from the first Reform Act to the last decade of the nineteenth century, they range over topics as diverse as parliamentary reform and free trade, Gladstone’s English Nonconformist supporters and his Irish Unionist opponents. A select bibliography, arranged by subject, supplies guidance for further research. The collection forms a tribute, appreciative but critical, to the Grand Old Man of British politics.

Aims to bring alive, through the eyes of their contemporaries, three of the greatest political figures of the Victorian era - Henry, third Viscount Palmerston, Benjamin Disraeli and William Gladstone. This four-volume set draws together various documents including journals and diaries, pamphlets, correspondence, and other ephemeral literature. Volume 3 covers the political life of Benjamin Disraeli (Part II) and William Ewart Gladstone (Part I).

William Ewart Gladstone (1809-98) was the outstanding statesman of the Victorian age. He was an MP for over sixty years, a long serving and exceptional Chancellor of the Exchequer and four times Prime Minister. As the leader of the Liberal party over three decades, he personified the values and policies of later Victorian Liberalism. Gladstone, however, was always more than just a politician. He was also a considerable scholar, a dedicated Churchman and had a range of interests and connections that made him, in many respects, the quintessential Victorian. Yet important aspects of Gladstone's life have received relatively little recent attention from historians. This study reappraises Gladstone by focusing on five themes: his reputation; his representation in visual and material culture; his personal life; his role as an official; and the ethical and political basis of his international policies. This collection of original, often multidisciplinary studies, provides new perspectives on Gladstone's public and private life. As such, it illustrates the many-sided nature of his career and the complexities of his personality.

This book traces the often sharply differing perspectives historians have formed with regard to the key incidents in the careers of the two foremost politicians of the Victorian age – Gladstone and Disraeli. Following the parallel careers of both men, it focuses upon a series of contentious questions, ranging from why Disraeli opposed Corn Law repeal in 1846 and Gladstone abandoned his High Tory politics for Peelism, to whether Disraeli was ever an Imperialist and why Gladstone took up the cause of Irish Home Rule. By juxtaposing the contrasting interpretations advocated by historians, it brings home to students how history is a continually evolving subject in which every generation poses new questions, or reformulates answers to old ones – encouraging those studying the subject to realise that history is an ongoing dialogue to which they are called upon to contribute.