Andrew Bonar Law Biography and Timeline

Birth of Andrew Bonar Law

Andrew Bonar Law is born in the British colony of New Brunswick before later pursuing a political career in Britain.

Law Moves to Scotland

Following his mother's death, the young Bonar Law moves to Scotland and joins relatives who help raise him.

Law Begins Business Career

Bonar Law builds a career in the iron trade and acquires the commercial experience that informs his later political reputation.

Law Marries Annie Pitcairn Robley

Bonar Law marries Annie Pitcairn Robley, with whom he goes on to have a family.

Law Elected for Glasgow Blackfriars

Bonar Law enters the House of Commons as a Conservative MP representing Glasgow Blackfriars and Hutchesontown.

Law Appointed Parliamentary Secretary

Bonar Law enters ministerial office as Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade in Arthur Balfour's government.

Law Leaves Trade Office

Bonar Law leaves his Board of Trade post when the Conservative government falls from power.

Law Loses Glasgow Seat

Bonar Law loses his parliamentary seat in the Liberal landslide general election.

Law Returns for Dulwich

A by election returns Bonar Law to Parliament as the Conservative member for Dulwich.

Law Contests Manchester North West

Bonar Law unsuccessfully contests Manchester North West during the first general election of 1910.

Law Elected for Bootle

Bonar Law returns to the Commons representing Bootle during the second general election of 1910.

Party Leader

Appointed Party Party Leader of the Conservative Party

Role range: 1911-1923

Law Becomes Opposition Leader

Bonar Law assumes leadership of the Conservatives and Unionists in the House of Commons.

Home Rule

Pledges Conservative-Unionist support for Ulster resistance to Home Rule proposals

Role range: 1911-1923

Rule of Ireland

Pledges Conservative-Unionist support for Ulster resistance to Home Rule proposals

Role range: 1911-1923

Law Opposes Irish Home Rule

Bonar Law makes opposition to the proposed third Home Rule Bill a central Conservative political cause.

Law Backs Ulster Unionists

Bonar Law continues to defend Ulster Unionist resistance to home rule as the Irish constitutional crisis deepens.

Law Confronts Home Rule Crisis

Bonar Law faces a mounting constitutional confrontation over Irish self government shortly before the outbreak of war.

Law Supports British War Effort

After war begins, Bonar Law supports national mobilisation while remaining Conservative opposition leader.

Law Negotiates Wartime Coalition

Bonar Law helps negotiate Conservative participation in Asquith's wartime coalition following criticism of the war administration.

Law Appointed Colonial Secretary

Bonar Law becomes Secretary of State for the Colonies in Asquith's coalition cabinet.

Resignation of Andrew Bonar Law

Resigns from Asquiths Coalition Government

Role range: 1916-1922 – 1916-1919

Government

Requested by the King to form a new Government. Asquith refuses to serve under Law him so he is unable to form a new Government

Role range: 1915-1916

Chancellor of the Exchequer

Appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer

Role range: 1916-1922 – 1916-1919

War Cabinet

Appointed Member of 5 man War Cabinet

Role range: 1915-1916

Law Supports Government Reconstruction

Bonar Law becomes a central figure in negotiations surrounding the collapse of Asquith's ministry.

Law Declines Premiership Opportunity

Bonar Law declines to form a government without sufficient support during the December political crisis.

Law Joins Lloyd George War Cabinet

Bonar Law joins Lloyd George's small War Cabinet when the new wartime administration takes office.

Law Becomes Chancellor of Exchequer

Bonar Law assumes responsibility for the Exchequer in Lloyd George's wartime government.

Law Oversees Wartime Finance

As chancellor, Bonar Law manages demanding wartime financial needs and parliamentary budgetary business.

Feed The Guns Campaign

Bonar Law ops the "Feed The Guns Campaign" to raise a 2nd 1 billion pounds war loan

Role range: 1915-1916

Feed The Guns Campaign

Bonar Law ops the "Feed The Guns Campaign" to raise a 2nd 1 billion pounds war loan

Role range: 1914-1918

Law Supports Coalition Election

Bonar Law maintains Conservative participation in Lloyd George's electoral coalition after the armistice.

Law Re Elected in Glasgow Central

Bonar Law wins election for Glasgow Central during the postwar general election.

Lord Privy Seal

Appointed Lord Privy Seal

Role range: 1916-1922 – 1919-1922

Treaty of Versailles

A signatory to the Treaty of Versailles

Role range: 1916-1922 – 1919-1922

Law Becomes Lord Privy Seal

Bonar Law ceases serving as chancellor and continues as a senior coalition minister and Commons leader.

Law Leads House of Commons

Bonar Law directs government business in the Commons during the first postwar year.

Law Faces Postwar Coalition Strains

Bonar Law deals with widening Conservative unease over the coalition and its domestic policies.

Law Resigns Party Leadership

Bonar Law steps down as Conservative leader owing to ill health and is succeeded by Austen Chamberlain.