Edward Carson Biography and Timeline

Solicitor General

Appointed Solicitor General for Ireland

Role range: 1892-1894

Solicitor General

Appointed Solicitor General

Role range: 1895-1902

Independence of Great Britain

Opposes Irish Home Rule

Role range: 1910-1921

Independence of Ireland

Opposes Irish Home Rule

Role range: 1910-1921

Irish Home Rule

Opposes Irish Home Rule

Role range: 1910-1921

Party Leader

Appointed Party Leader of the Ulster Unionists

Role range: 1910-1921

Attorney General

Asquith appoints Carson Attorney General when the Coalition Government is formed after the Liberal Government was bought down by the Shell Crisis

Role range: 1915-1916 – 1915-1916

Resignation of Edward Carson

Resigns over the war in the Balkans, which had left two British and one French division in Salonica instead of being dispatched to support the Serbs who were being attacked by from the north and Bulgaria from the east. Carson becomes the leader of those Unionists who were not members of the Government, effectively Leader of the Opposition in the Commons

Role range: 1915-1916 – 1915-1916

Vote of Confidence

A motion forwarded by Carson on ownership of property in Nigeria creates a crisis

Role range: 1915-1916 – 1908-1915

First Lord of Admiralty

When Asquith resigned, he returns to office as First Lord of the Admiralty

Role range: 1916-1922 – 1917-1917

War Cabinet

Appointed Member of War Cabinet, without portfolio

Role range: 1916-1922

Minister Without Portfolio

Appointed Minister without Portfolio

Role range: 1916-1922 – 1917-1917

Resignation of Edward Carson

Resigns as First Lord of the Admiralty

Role range: 1916-1922 – 1917-1917

Constitution of Great Britain

The Parliament of Northern Ireland is established

Role range: 1916-1922 – 1917-1917

Home Rule

The Government decided to extend conscription to Ireland, and that Ireland would have to be given home rule in order to make it acceptable, Carson disagrees in principle and again resigns

Role range: 1916-1922 – 1917-1917

Rule of Ireland

The Government decided to extend conscription to Ireland, and that Ireland would have to be given home rule in order to make it acceptable, Carson disagrees in principle and again resigns

Role range: 1916-1922 – 1917-1917

Rule of Ulster

The Parliament of Northern Ireland is established. The Government decided to extend conscription to Ireland, and that Ireland would have to be given home rule in order to make it acceptable, Carson disagrees in principle and again resigns

Role range: 1916-1922 – 1917-1917

Resignation of Edward Carson

The Government decided to extend conscription to Ireland, and that Ireland would have to be given home rule in order to make it acceptable, Carson disagrees in principle and again resigns

Role range: 1916-1922 – 1917-1917

Member of Parliament

Elected for Belfast Duncairn

Home Rule

When the Government of Ireland Act 1920 is introduced, advises his party to work for the exemption of six Ulster counties from Home Rule as the best compromise (a compromise he had previously rejected)

Legislation

When the Government of Ireland Act 1920 is introduced, advises his party to work for the exemption of six Ulster counties from Home Rule as the best compromise (a compromise he had previously rejected)

Rule of Ireland

When the Government of Ireland Act 1920 is introduced, advises his party to work for the exemption of six Ulster counties from Home Rule as the best compromise (a compromise he had previously rejected)

Resignation of Edward Carson

Resigns as Party Leader

Lords of Appeal in Ordinary

Appointed one of seven Lords of Appeal in Ordinary

Peerage

Created a life peer as Baron Carson, of Duncairn in the County of Antrim