The Life of William Ewart Gladstone

First published in 1903, this authorised biography of the Liberal Prime Minister Gladstone provides valuable insights into Victorian political life.

John Morley (Author)

9781108026789, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 10 March 2011

684 pages, 3 b/w illus.
21.6 x 3.8 x 14 cm, 0.86 kg

Morley's authorised biography of Gladstone (1809–1898) was published in 1903, and is a landmark of political biography. Four times Liberal Prime Minister between 1868 and 1894, Gladstone had left an enormous archive of letters, papers and diaries, which Morley (1838–1923), himself a noted Liberal politician and writer, spent five years distilling into three volumes. Although many other biographies and editions have since been published, Morley's work is still valuable for his use of primary sources, especially for the earlier part of Gladstone's career. Morley avoids overt party bias, but is understandably discreet in his treatment of more recent political events. He also ignores more private aspects of his subject's life and, as an agnostic, did not empathise with Gladstone's strong religious convictions. Volume 2 covers the period 1859–1880, during which he served as Chancellor and as Prime Minister, and controversially disestablished the Anglican church in Ireland.

Book V. 1859–1868: 1. The Italian revolution
2. The great budget
3. Battle for economy
4. The spirit of Gladstonian finance
5. American civil war
6. Death of friends - days at Balmoral
7. Garibaldi - Denmark
8. Advance in public position and otherwise
9. Defeat at Oxford - death of Lord Palmerston - parliamentary leadership
10. Matters ecclesiastical
11. Popular estimates
12. Letters
13. Reform
14. The struggle for household suffrage
15. Opening of the Irish campaign
16. Prime minister
Book VI. 1869–1874: 1. Religious equality
2. First chapter of an agrarian revolution
3. Education - the career and the talents
4. The Franco-German war
5. Neutrality and annexation
6. The Black Sea
7. 'Day's work of a giant'
8. Autumn of 1871 - decline of popularity
9. Washington and Geneva
10. As head of a cabinet
11. Catholic country and Protestant parliament
12. The crisis
13. Last days of the ministry
14. The dissolution
Book VII. 1874–1880: 1. Retirement from leadership
2. Vaticanism
3. The Octagon
4. Eastern question once more
5. A tumultous year
6. Midlothian
7. The eve of the battle
8. The fall of Lord Beaconsfield
9. The second ministry
Appendix
Chronology.

Subject Areas: British & Irish history [HBJD1]