William Ewart Gladstone Biography

Born at 62 Rodney Street, William Ewart Gladstone was the fourth son of the slave-owning merchant Sir John Gladstone, and his second wife, Anne MacKenzie Robertson

Educated from 1816 to 1821 at a preparatory school at the vicarage of St Thomass Church at Seaforth, close to his familys residence, Seaforth House

Follows in the footsteps of his older brothers and attends Eton College

Matriculates at Christ Church, Oxford, where he read Classics and Mathematics, although he had no great interest in mathematics

Graduates with a double first

Elected to Parliament in 1832 as Tory Member of Parliament (MP) for Newark, partly through the influence of the local patron, the Duke of Newcastle

Appointed as a Junior Lord of the Treasury in Sir Robert Peels first ministry

Appointed Under Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, an office he held until the Governments resignation in April 1835

Appointed Under Secretary for War, serves under Sir Robert Peel

Gladstone publishes his first book, "The State in its Relations with the Church", in which he argued that the goal of the state should be to promote and defend the interests of the Church of England

Gladstone publishes his first book, "The State in its Relations with the Church", in which he argued that the goal of the state should be to promote and defend the interests of the Church of England

Gladstone publishes his first book, "The State in its Relations with the Church", in which he argued that the goal of the state should be to promote and defend the interests of the Church of England

Denounces the war as "unjust and iniquitous" and criticised Lord Palmerston's willingness "to protect an infamous contraband traffic."

Marries Catherine Glynne, to whom he remained married until his death 59 years later

Gladstone lambasts "Palmerston's Opium War" and said that he felt "in dread of the judgments of God upon England for our national iniquity towards China"

Appointed Vice President of the Board of Trade

Income tax is reintroduced to cope with the budget deficit

Set at 7d in the pound with an exemption limit of œ150. Income tax is reintroduced to cope with the budget deficit

Appointed President of the Board of Trade

Gladstone passed the Coal Vendors Act 1843 to set up a central office for employment

Gladstone became concerned with the situation of "coal whippers". These were the men who worked on London docks, "whipping" in baskets from ships to barges or wharves all incoming coal from the sea. They were called up and relieved through public-houses and therefore a man could not get this job unless he possessed the favourable opinion of the publican, who looked upon most favourably those who drank

Gladstone passed the Coal Vendors Act 1843 to set up a central office for employment

Gladstone passed the Coal Vendors Act 1843 to set up a central office for employment

Gladstone passes the Coal Vendors Act 1843 to set up a central office for employment

Appointed President of the Board of Trade

Gladstone passed the Coal Vendors Act 1843 to set up a central office for employment

Reforms the 1840 Railways Act controlling profits on railways. Provides for at least 1 cheap train to run each weekday

Reforms the 1840 Railways Act controlling profits on railways. Provides for at least 1 cheap train to run each weekday

Gladstone had previously argued that a Protestant country should not fund other churches, although he supported the increase and voted for it in the Commons.

He resigned rather than face accusations that he had compromised his principles to remain in office.

William Gladstone resigned over the Maynooth Seminary issue after Peel's government proposed increasing the annual grant for training Catholic priests.

Gladstone had previously argued that a Protestant country should not fund other churches, although he supported the increase and voted for it in the Commons.

He resigned rather than face accusations that he had compromised his principles to remain in office.

William Gladstone resigned over the Maynooth Seminary issue after Peel's government proposed increasing the annual grant for training Catholic priests.

Leaves the Tory Party with the Peelites in defense of free trade

Appointed Member of Liberal Party

Leaves the Tory Party with the Peelites in defense of free trade

Elected for the University of Oxford (representing the MA graduates of the University) at the General Election

Gladstone helps to establish Glenalmond College, then The Holy and Undivided Trinity College at Glenalmond, set up as an episcopal foundation to spread the ideas of the Anglican Church in Scotland, and to educate the sons of the gentry

Gladstone helps to establish Glenalmond College, then The Holy and Undivided Trinity College at Glenalmond, set up as an episcopal foundation to spread the ideas of the Anglican Church in Scotland, and to educate the sons of the gentry

Founds the Church Penitentiary Association for the Reclamation of Fallen Women

Gladstone founds the Church Penitentiary Association for the Reclamation of Fallen Women

Receives an honorary degree from Oxford University

Receives an honorary degree from Oxford University

Gladstone founds the Church Penitentiary Association for the Reclamation of Fallen Women. Aids the House of Mercy at Clewer near Windsor (which exercised extreme in-house discipline) and spends much time arranging employment for ex-prostitutes

Begins the "rescue work" with "fallen women" and meets prostitutes late at night on the street, in his house or in their houses, writing their names in a private notebook and heps the House of Mercy at Clewer near Windsor

After Peel's death in 1850 Gladstone emerged as the leader of the Peelites in the House of Commons

After Peels death in 1850 Gladstone emerges as the leader of the Peelites in the House of Commons

Privations of political prisoners make Gladstone a "Nationalist" & "Revolutionary"

Publishes letters to Lord Aberdeen pressing him for Austrian reform

Following the appointment of Lord Aberdeen as Prime Minister, head of a coalition of Whigs and Peelites, Gladstone became Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Whig Sir Charles Wood and the Tory Disraeli had both been perceived to have failed in the office and so this provided Gladstone with a great political opportunity

123 duties are abolished and 133 duties are reduced, income tax had legally expired but Gladstone proposed to extend it for seven years to fund tariff reductions

Increases bonds, raises loans & doubles income tax to 1s 2d to pay for the Crimean war. Gladstones first budget almost completes the work begun by Peel eleven years before in simplifying Britains tariff of duties and customs.

Increases the number of people eligible to pay income tax by lowering the threshold from pounds 150 to pounds 100, the more people who paid income tax, Gladstone believes, the more the public will pressure the Government into abolishing it & Gladstone argues that pounds 100 is "the dividing line...between

the educated and the labouring part of the community" and therefore the income tax payers and the electorate will be the same people, who will then vote to cut Government expenditure.

The Trevelyn-Northcote report recommends a competitive appointment system

100 is "the dividing line...between the educated and the labouring part of the community" and therefore the income tax payers and the electorate will be the same people, who will then vote to cut Government expenditure.

123 duties are abolished and 133 duties are reduced, income tax had legally expired but Gladstone proposed to extend it for seven years to fund tariff reductions

Increases bonds, raises loans & doubles income tax to 1s 2d to pay for the Crimean war.

Increases the number of people eligible to pay income tax by lowering the threshold from pounds 150 to pounds 100, the more people who paid income tax, Gladstone believes, the more the public will pressure the Government into abolishing it & Gladstone argues that pounds

The Trevelyn-Northcote report recommends a competitive appointment system. Gladstone sets up a civil service commission & public examinations for officials

Gladstone has to increase expenditure on the Services and a vote of credit of pounds 1,250,000 is taken to send a 25,000 to the East so the deficit for the year would be pounds 2,840,000 but Gladstone refuses to borrow the money needed to cover

Gladstones 3rd budget, by May pounds 6,870,000 is needed to finance the Crimean war so Gladstone raises the income tax from 10 and a half pence to 14d and to raise pounds 3,250,000; spirits, malt, and sugar are taxed to raise the rest of the

money needed.

the deficit and increases the income tax by one half from sevenpence to tenpence-halfpenny in the pound (from 2.92% to 4.38%)

Introduces a wartime budget as Britain enters the Crimean War and government expenditure rises.

92% to 4. 38%)

Gladstone has to increase expenditure on the Services and a vote of credit of pounds 1,250,000 is taken to send a 25,000 to the East so the deficit for the year would be pounds 2,840,000 but Gladstone refuses to borrow the money needed to cover

Gladstones 3rd budget, by May pounds 6,870,000 is needed to finance the Crimean war so Gladstone raises the income tax from 10 and a half pence to 14d and to raise pounds 3,250,000; spirits, malt, and sugar are taxed to raise the rest of the

money needed.

the deficit and increases the income tax by one half from sevenpence to tenpence-halfpenny in the pound (from 2.

The Conservative Leader Lord Derby becomes Prime Minister, but Gladstone, like the other Peelites still nominally a Conservative, declines a position in the Government, opting not to sacrifice his free trade principles

Leaves the Tory Party despite appeals from Derby, opposed to the policies of Disraeli. Leaves the Aberdeen coalition & never returns to the Conservative Party

Tries to help the Greeks gain the Ionian Islands

Raises a budget to pay for the war with China raising income tax from 5d to 9d

Appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer

Raises a budget to pay for the war with China raising income tax from 5d to 9d

Lord Palmerston forms a new mixed Government with Radicals included, and Gladstone again joins the Government as Chancellor of the Exchequer (with most of the other remaining Peelites) to become part of the new Liberal Party

Has a budget surplus & wishes to quell anti-French feeling. Chevalier visits Gladstone to discuss Anglo-French free trade

Cobden & Napoleon agree the Treaty

Has a budget surplus & wishes to quell anti-French feeling

The Budget is rejected by the Lords because they oppose the abolition of paper duties. Tariffs on 400 articles & paper are removed. National debt interest is reduced by 2 million pounds. Direct tax is raised from 9d to 10d, due to extra defence spending

The Lords refuse to abolish paper duties & reject the budget. The Cabinet decides to refer the Budget to the Commons Committee of Privileges

The Bill to abolish duties on paper narrowly passed Commons but was rejected by the House of Lords. As no money bill had been rejected by Lords for over two hundred years, a furore arose over this vote.

The budget "marked the final adoption of the Free Trade principle, that taxation should be levied for Revenue purposes alone, and that every protective, differential, or discriminating duty...should be dislodged".

The budget reduces the number of duties to 48, with 15 duties constituting the majority of the revenue but to finance these reductions in indirect taxation, the income tax, instead of being abolished, is raised to 10d. for incomes above pounds 150 and at 7d.

This record states: Gladstones budget is introduced with the Cobden-Chevalier Treaty between Britain and France that would reduce tariffs between the two countries.

This record states: Some of the duties Gladstone intended to abolish in 1860 were the duties on paper, a controversial policy because the duties had traditionally inflated the costs of publishing and thus hindered the dissemination of radical working-class ideas.

This record states: The next year, Gladstone included the abolition of paper duties in a consolidated Finance Bill (the first ever) to force the Lords to accept it, and accept it they did.

for incomes above pounds 100.

The budget reduces the number of duties to 48, with 15 duties constituting the majority of the revenue but to finance these reductions in indirect taxation, the income tax, instead of being abolished, is raised to 10d. for incomes above pounds 150 and at 7d. for incomes above pounds 100

Approval of the budget by the Lords becomes common practice. Abolition of paper duty is included in the budget & passed by the Lords

Approval of the budget by the Lords becomes common practice

Income tax was reduced to ninepence in 1861; in 1863 to sevenpence; in 1864 to fivepence; and in 1865 to fourpence

Founds the Public Accounts Committee, part of his reform for financial institutions

Creates the Post Office Savings Bank

The Post Office Savings Bank opens, extending secure savings facilities to ordinary households.

Gladstone makes a speech in support of the independence of the Confederate States of America in the American Civil War, claiming that Jefferson Davis had "made a nation"

Income tax was reduced to ninepence (pounds 00s9d) in 1861; in 1863 to sevenpence; in 1864 to fivepence; and in 1865 to fourpence

Opens the London Underground

Supports a wider franchise despite warnings by Palmerston not to commit the Government

Supports a wider franchise to include the northern towns

Supports a wider franchise to include the northern towns. Supports a wider franchise despite warnings by Palmerston not to commit the Government

Gladstones support for electoral reform and disestablishment of the Anglican Church in Ireland alienates him from his constituents in his Oxford University seat, and he loses it in the 1865 general election

Stands as a candidate in South Lancashire, where he is elected its third Member of Parliament (South Lancashire at this time elected three MPs)

Leads the Liberals to election victory but Palmerston dies before the first Cabinet

Earl Russell forms his second ministry, Russell & Gladstone (now the senior Liberal in the House of Commons) attempt to pass a reform bill, which is defeated in the House of Commons because of the refusal of the "Adullamite" Whigs, led by Robert Lowe, to support it

Leads the Liberals to election victory but Palmerston dies before the first Cabinet

Gladstones support for electoral reform and disestablishment of the Anglican Church in Ireland alienates him from his constituents in his Oxford University seat, and he loses it in the 1865 general election

Announces he can no longer support the establishment of the Irish Anglican Church

Gladstone authorises emergency liquidity after the failure of Overend Gurney.

Gladstone wants to dissolve Parliament & take the Bill to the electorate

The Franchise Bill is defeated in the Commons. Russell refuses to take the defeated Franchise Bill to the electorate

The Franchise Bill is defeated in the Commons. Gladstone wants to dissolve Parliament & take the Bill to the electorate

Russell refuses to take the defeated Franchise Bill to the electorate

Introduces a franchise for occupiers in boroughs & occupiers in counties

Introduces a franchise for occupiers in boroughs & occupiers in counties. Gladstones proposals are based on rents rather than rates

Informs Liverpool the Government is staking its life on the Franchise Bill

Informs Liverpool the Government is staking its life on the Franchise Bill

1st test of the Franchise Bill, the Government wins the 1st reading in the Commons

1st test of the Franchise Bill, the Government wins the 1st reading in the Commons

The Government has a majority of 5 & many in cabinet wish to dissolve Parliament

Suspends the Bank Charter Act & raises the bank rate to 10%, causes panic & depression

Suspends the Bank Charter Act & raises the bank rate to 10%, causes panic & depression

The Bank of Overend & Gurney fails

Suspends the Bank Charter Act & raises the bank rate to 10%, causes panic & depression

Gladstone authorises emergency liquidity after the collapse of Overend Gurney triggers panic.

The Government is defeat by a proposal from Lord Dunkellin

The Government is defeated in Parliament by 11 votes

Lord Russell retires in 1867 and Gladstone becoomees leader of the Liberal Party

Appointed Party Leader of the Liberal Party

Attempts to remove personal rating from the Franchise Bill but defeated by Disraeli

Attempts to remove personal rating from the Franchise Bill but defeated by Disraeli

The rescue of 2 Fenians in Clerkenwell gaol causes 12 deaths

The rescue of 2 Fenians in Clerkenwell gaol causes 12 deaths

Gladstone proclaims the need to address the Irish Proble

Gladstone proclaims the need to address the Irish Proble

The Liberals triumph by 387 seats the Conservatives 271 seats. Promises to disestablish the Irish Church, reform land & education. Gladstone claims his policy is to "pacify Ireland"

In the next general election the South Lancashire constituency had been broken-up by the Second Reform Act into two: South East Lancashire and South West Lancashire, Gladstone stands for South West Lancashire and for Greenwich, it being quite common then for candidates to stand in two constituencies simultaneously,he was is defeated in Lancashire and wins in Greenwich

Gladstone claims his policy is to "pacify Ireland"

Gladstone claims his policy is to "pacify Ireland"

ladstone proposes the Irish Church Resolutions to reunite the Liberal Party for Government

Proposes all householders in boroughs with a rateable value of œ5 should have the vote

Carries resolution to go into committee for reform. Carries a resolution to reform the Irish Anglican Church for disestablishment. Boosts popular support & reunites the Liberals

The "Tea Room Revolt" of 50 Liberal MP over Gladstones franchise reforms. Forced to withdraw plans to enfranchise borough householders with rates higher than œ5

The "Tea Room Revolt" of 50 Liberal MP over Gladstones franchise reforms. Forced to withdraw plans to enfranchise borough householders with rates higher than 5 pounds

Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain, 1st term

Institutes the Cardwell Reforms that make peacetime flogging illegal

Disestablishes the Irish Church

Disestablishes the Irish Church

Disestablishes the Irish Church

Disestablishes the Irish Church. 2nd reading to disestablish the Irish Church, wins by 118

Bismarck reveals to Gladstone France's proposal to exchange south Germany for Belgium

Bismarck reveals to Gladstone France's proposal to exchange south Germany for Belgium

Introduces the Irish Church Bill to end the Union of the English & Irish Churches. Introduces the Irish Church Bill to end the establishment of the Irish Church

The Black Sea loses its neutrality. The Black Sea clauses of the Treaty of Paris are abrogated

The secret ballot is introduced. The Civil Service will recruit by competition using the Civil Service Commission. Forsters Education Act introducing primary education is passed

The secret ballot is introduced. The Irish Land Act is passed. The Civil Service will recruit by competition using the Civil Service Commission. Forsters Education Act introducing primary education is passed

The Black Sea loses its neutrality. Gets France & Prussia to sign a Treaty recognizing Belgian neutrality

The secret ballot is introduced. The Civil Service will recruit by competition using the Civil Service Commission. Forsters Education Act introducing primary education is passed

Tells France the Spanish succession is a matter between Spain & the Hohenzollerns. Gets France & Prussia to sign a Treaty recognizing Belgian neutrality

Gets France & Prussia to sign a Treaty recognizing Belgian neutrality

Introduces the Irish Land Act to give Irish peasants comparible rights with England

Introduces the Irish Land Act to give Irish peasants comparible rights with England

Forced to produce a Belgium neutrality Treaty to be signed by Prussia & France

The Treaty is leaked to the Times. Forced to produce a Belgium neutrality Treaty to be signed by Prussia & France

Britain & the USA resolve claims from the American Civil War

The Local Government Board Act 1871 puts the supervision of the Poor Law under the Local Government Board and Gladstones "administration could claim spectacular success in enforcing a dramatic reduction in supposedly sentimental and.

unsystematic outdoor poor relief, and in making, in co-operation with the Charity Organisation Society (1869), the most sustained attempt of the century to impose upon the working classes the Victorian values of providence, self-reliance, foresight, and self-discipline".

The Test Act forbids Oxford & Cambridge to make relgious tests for teaching posts

The Test Act forbids Oxford & Cambridge to make relgious tests for teaching posts. The Ecclesiastical Titles Act of 1851 is repealed

The Local Government Board Act 1871 puts the supervision of the Poor Law under the Local Government Board and Gladstones "administration could claim spectacular success in enforcing a dramatic reduction in supposedly sentimental and.

unsystematic outdoor poor relief, and in making, in co-operation with the Charity Organisation Society (1869), the most sustained attempt of the century to impose upon the working classes the Victorian values of providence, self-reliance, foresight, and self-discipline".

The Local Government Board Act 1871 puts the supervision of the Poor Law under the Local Government Board and Gladstones "administration could claim spectacular success in enforcing a dramatic reduction in supposedly sentimental and.

unsystematic outdoor poor relief, and in making, in co-operation with the Charity Organisation Society (1869), the most sustained attempt of the century to impose upon the working classes the Victorian values of providence, self-reliance, foresight, and self-discipline".

The Test Act forbids Oxford & Cambridge to make relgious tests for teaching posts. The Ecclesiastical Titles Act of 1851 is repealed

Britain & the USA resolve claims from the American Civil War

Agrres to the settlement of the Alabama Claims in favour of the Americans

Arbitrators award $15 million to the US against Britain after the Civil War

Secures the passage of the Ballot Act for secret voting ballots

Secures the passage of the Ballot Act for secret voting ballots

Unpopularity of the reforms leads to the Governments downfall. Publicans & brewers support the Conservative Party. Limits places where alcohol can be sold, riots ensue

The Judicature Act, establishes a Supreme Court of Judicature

The Judicature Act, establishes a Supreme Court of Judicature

Resigns after the defeat of the Irish University Bill. 43 Liberals vote against the Government

Gladstone reshuffles his Cabinet

Unexpectedly dissolves Parliament and calls a general election

Unexpectedly dissolves Parliament and calls a general election

Gladstone promises to abolish income tax!. Election riots in Dudlet, Hanley & Wolverhampton

Gladstone promises to abolish income tax!

The Liberals receive a majority of the votes in each of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom and 189,000 more votes nationally than the Conservatives but obtain a minority of seats in the House of Commons. A Conservative victory becomes certain

The Conservatives win a majority of 83. The Conservatives win 350 seats to the Liberals 302 seats

Gladstone resigns as Party Leader in the Commons

Criticises the Suez Canal purchase for being made without prior parliamentary consent.

Comes out of retirement after the Turkish repression of Bulgarias rebellion

Gladstone campaigns against Disraelis pro-Turkish policies. During the election campaign, also called Midlothian campaign, Gladstone rousingly speks against Disraelis foreign policies during the ongoing Second Anglo-Afghan War in Afghanistan

During the election campaign, also called Midlothian campaign, Gladstone rousingly speks against Disraelis foreign policies during the ongoing Second Anglo-Afghan War in Afghanistan

Inherits the British Suez Canal shareholding despite earlier criticism of Disraeli's purchase.

Queen Victoria asks Lord Hartington to form a ministry, but he persuades her to send for Gladstone. Appointed Prime Minister, 2nd term

Accepts self-government for the Transvaal after British defeats.

Accepts a peace settlement restoring Transvaal self-government.

British policy shifts from renewed war toward negotiated autonomy.

The invasion of Egypt protects the Suez Canal and prevents anarchy in the wake of the Urabi Revolt and the riots in Alexandria and protects the interests of British investors with assets in Egypt and boosts the political popularity of the Liberal Party

Establishes the Irish Coercion Act, which permits the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to detain people for as "long as was thought necessary", as there was much rural disturbance in Ireland and Cavendish, the Irish Secretary, was assassinated by Irish terrorists in Dublin

This record states: Establishes the Irish Coercion Act, which permits the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to detain people for as "long as was thought necessary", as there was much rural disturbance in Ireland and Cavendish, the Irish Secretary.

This record states: Passes the Second Land Act (the First, in 1870, had entitled Irish tenants, if evicted, to compensation for improvements which they had made on their property, but had had little effect).

This record states: Was assassinated by Irish terrorists in Dublin.

This record states: Which gives Irish tenants the "3Fs" fair rent, fixity of tenure and free sale.

Originally intended to retire at the end of 1882, the fiftieth anniversary of his entry into politics, but in the event doees not do so

Gladstone orders the bombardment of Alexandria, starting the Anglo-Egyptian War, which results in the occupation of Egypt

Passes the Second Land Act (the First, in 1870, had entitled Irish tenants, if evicted, to compensation for improvements which they had made on their property, but had had little effect) which gives Irish tenants the "3Fs" fair rent, fixity of tenure and free sale

Gladstone orders the bombardment of Alexandria, starting the Anglo-Egyptian War, which results in the occupation of Egypt

The invasion of Egypt protects the Suez Canal and prevents anarchy in the wake of the Urabi Revolt and the riots in Alexandria and protects the interests of British investors with assets in Egypt and boosts the political popularity of the Liberal Party

Authorises military occupation of Egypt, giving Britain effective control over the canal zone while Egypt remains formally Ottoman.

His government establishes effective British control after the military victory.

Britain remains in Egypt after restoring Khedive Tewfik's authority.

Passes an Act which seeks to safeguard elections against malpractice

Passes an Act which seeks to safeguard elections against malpractice

Passes an Act which seeks to safeguard elections against malpractice

Defeat leads to withdrawal from the Sudan. British & allied troops are trapped by the Mahdi & massacred

Extends the franchise to agricultural labourers and others in the 1884 Reform Act, which gives the counties the same franchise as the boroughs, adult male householders and pounds 10 lodgers, and adds about six million to the total number who could vote in Parliamentary elections

Extends the franchise to agricultural labourers and others in the 1884 Reform Act, which gives the counties the same franchise as the boroughs, adult male householders and pounds 10 lodgers, and adds about six million to the total number who could vote in Parliamentary elections

Recognizes the Transvaal but it cannot conclude treaties without British permission

Recognizes the Transvaal but it cannot conclude treaties without British permission

Extends the franchise to agricultural labourers and others in the 1884 Reform Act, which gives the counties the same franchise as the boroughs, adult male householders and pounds 10 lodgers, and adds about six million to the total number who could vote in Parliamentary elections

Extends the franchise to agricultural labourers and others in the 1884 Reform Act, which gives the counties the same franchise as the boroughs, adult male householders and pounds 10 lodgers, and adds about six million to the total number who could vote in Parliamentary elections

Extends the franchise to agricultural labourers and others in the 1884 Reform Act, which gives the counties the same franchise as the boroughs, adult male householders and pounds 10 lodgers, and adds about six million to the total number who could vote in Parliamentary elections

Orders General Gordon to evacuate Khartoum but is disobeyed. Gordon holds out for 1 year before being overcome & killed by the Mahdi

Britain participates in the Berlin Conference negotiations concerning trade and navigation in the Congo basin.

Makes rural elections as democratic as urban ones

Recognizes individual voting rights regardless of property qualifications. Makes rural elections as democratic as urban ones. Extends the male electorate from 3 to 5 million

Germany agrees to support Britains claims in Nigeria, against the French

Parliamentary reform continues with the Redistribution of Seats Act

Extends the franchise

Gladstones conversion to a policy of Home Rule in late 1885 (the "Hawarden Kite") results in the fall of Lord Salisburys Government, the Irish Nationalists, led by Charles Parnell, vote against the Tories on a.

land Bill but The Irish Nationalists hold the balance of power in Parliament at this time, Gladstones conversion had convinces them to support the Liberal Government by using the 86 seats of Parliament they controlled.

Gladstones conversion to a policy of Home Rule in late 1885 (the "Hawarden Kite") results in the fall of Lord Salisburys Government, the Irish Nationalists, led by Charles Parnell, vote against the Tories on a.

land Bill but The Irish Nationalists hold the balance of power in Parliament at this time, Gladstones conversion had convinces them to support the Liberal Government by using the 86 seats of Parliament they controlled.

Parliamentary reform continues with the Redistribution of Seats Act

Parliamentary reform continues with the Redistribution of Seats Act

Extends the franchise

Parliamentary reform continues with the Redistribution of Seats Act

After Gordons death Gladstone resigns

After Gordons death Gladstone resigns

Gladstone is defeated by the Irish Party's vote on the budget

Newspapers quote Herbert Gladstone about his fathers conversion to Irish home rule

Newspapers quote Herbert Gladstone about his fathers conversion to Irish home rule

Newspapers quote Herbert Gladstone about his fathers conversion to Irish home rule

Conservatives 317, Liberal Unionists 77, Liberals 191 & Nationalists 86

Chamberlain, hostile to Irish home rule, refuses to serve in the Cabinet

Chamberlain, hostile to Irish home rule, refuses to serve in the Cabinet. Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain, 3rd term

Home Rule Bill, first, Introduced to the House of Commons

Home Rule Bill, first, Introduced to the House of Commons

Resigns over the issue of Irish Home Rule

Defeated by Liberal Unionists & 93 Liberal MPs, including Chamberlain, resigns

Resigns over the issue of Irish Home Rule. Defeated by Liberal Unionists & 93 Liberal MPs, including Chamberlain, resigns

The Home Rule Bill, defeated in the Commons by 30 votes

The Home Rule Bill, defeated in the Commons by 30 votes

In the Newcastle Program proposes a policy of home rule, triennial Parliaments & reform of the House of Lords

Proposes abolition of the double franchise

In the Newcastle Program proposes a policy of home rule, triennial Parliaments & reform of the House of Lords

Proposes Welsh disestablishment. Proposes a local right to veto sales of liquor. Proposes abolition of the double franchise. In the Newcastle Program proposes a policy of home rule, triennial Parliaments & reform of the House of Lords

Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain, 4th term

Irish Home Rule Bill, approved by the House of Commons

Irish Home Rule Bill, approved by the House of Commons

Irish Home Rule Bill, approved by the House of Commons

Irish Home Rule Bill, rejected by the House of Lords

Irish Home Rule Bill, rejected by the House of Lords

Irish Home Rule Bill, rejected by the House of Lords

A committee is set up of Scottish MPs with the right to discuss Scottish affairs

Resigns after being critical of the high naval estimates

1st State funeral in Westminster Abbey since Pitt

Buried in Westminster Abbey

Death of William Ewart Gladstone

Appointed Chief Liberal Whip

Appointed Secretary of State for Home Affairs

Appointed Governor General of South Africa