Birth of William Somerset Maughan
Birth of William Somerset Maughan
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1874 in Great Britain
Explore 42 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1874.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1874
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 42 unique records.
42Unique records
1 of 2Page
27Named events on this page
25Named people on this page
8Places on this page
January
February
Election
Gladstone promises to abolish income tax!. Election riots in Dudlet, Hanley & Wolverhampton
Income Tax
Gladstone promises to abolish income tax!
Election
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
Birth of Ernest Henry Shackleton
Birth of Ernest Henry Shackleton, County Clare, Ireland
Home Secretary of Great Britain
Appointed Home Secretary
Election
The Conservatives win a majority of 83, its 1st majority since 1841. The Conservatives win 350 seats to the Liberals 302 seats
Election
The Conservatives win a majority of 83. The Conservatives win 350 seats to the Liberals 302 seats
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer
Foreign Secretary of Great Britain
Appointed Foreign Minister, 2nd term
Government
Disraeli forms a new ministry
Prime Minister of Great Britain
Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain, 2nd term
August
Strike
the agricultural strike in eastern England
Strike
Agricultural strike in eastern England
October
Capture of Great Britain
Britain captures the Fiji Islands
November
Birth of Winston Churchill
Birth of Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace, family estate near Woodstock, Oxfordshire
Other events (month unknown)
Birth of John Lawrence Baird
Birth of John Lawrence Baird
Dissolution of Parliament
Unexpectedly dissolves Parliament and calls a general election
Election
In the 1874 general election, the Home Rule League wins 59 seats
Election
Unexpectedly dissolves Parliament and calls a general election
Far from the Madding Crowd
Publication of "Far From the Madding Crowd"
Foundation of Aston Villa
Hughes helps organise the new football club formed by Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapel members.
Foundation of Aston Villa
Matthews participates in the meeting that establishes Aston Villa Football Club.
Foundation of Aston Villa
Price becomes one of the four recognised founders of Aston Villa Football Club.
Foundation of Aston Villa
Scattergood joins Hughes, Matthews and Price in establishing Aston Villa.
Great Britain Collides With Mysore
SS Great Britain collided with the vessel Mysore in November 1874 during her later Australian service, suffering damage and losing an anchor.
Home Rule
In the 1874 general election, the Home Rule League wins 59 seats
Home Rule League
In the 1874 general election, the Home Rule League wins 59 seats
Marriage
Marries Marie Alexandrovna
Marriage
Randolph Churchill marries Jennie Jerome
Marriage
Randolph Churchill marries Jennie Jerome
Member of Parliament
Elected Member of Parliament for Hertford
Member of Parliament
Elected Member of Parliament for Woodstock
Palestine Survey Appointment
Joins the Survey of Western Palestine and works on detailed military and geographical mapping.
Party Leader
Appointed Party Leader of the Liberal Party
Pirrie Becomes Shipbuilding Partner
Pirrie became a partner in Harland and Wolff after progressing through the company's technical and managerial ranks.
Prime Minister of Great Britain
Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain, 2nd term
Rule of Fiji
Britain captures the Fiji Islands
Secretary of State for India
Appointed Secretary of State for India, 2nd term, under Disraeli
Secretary of State for War and the Colonies
Appointed Secretary for War
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.