William Ewart Gladstone Essay

William Ewart Gladstone was a Liberal political leader and influential British Prime Minister. He is known as the “quintessential Victorian” for being a perfect example of what people of his time should be like. He wasn’t like that from the beginning though. For example, William Gladstone didn’t start as a Liberal. He didn’t even start as a Politician! William Gladstone was born to his mother; Anne Robertson and his father; John Gladstone. Both of his parents were Scottish originally. John Gladstone was a successful merchant, but moved (with his wife, Anne) to Liverpool, England for work. That is where, on December 29, 1809, William Gladstone was born. William Gladstone was educated at Eton and Christ Church University of Oxford. After being

Only 46 votes separated the Liberals and Conservatives. That was just a small bump in the road for Gladstone, and he didn’t let it faze him. Instead, William Gladstone just focused on finishing his book, An Inquiry into the Time and Place of Homer in History. During that time, Gladstone heard about horrible massacres and tortures taking place in Bulgaria. He was moved to let others know of the horrors so that something could be done. He wrote a pamphlet titled Bulgarian Horrors and the Question of the East. This pamphlet actually helped the Liberals win a general election in 1880 after Parliament dissolved. Gladstone was the Prime Minister again until he resigned in

Some important Acts he introduced or helped pass include the Railway Bill, which made it illegal to charge third class passengers more than one penny per mile. This Bill also stated that trains had to stop at every stop and run at no less than 12 mph. Another important act was the Education Act, which put school boards in place in Britain. He also introduced the Ballot Act, which made voting private. That influenced our voting today. The Corrupt Practices Act, which limited the amount of money used by someone running for office, is another Act Gladstone passed.
William Gladstone was an influential Political leader. From his 62 years as a member of the cabinet, he set standards that influenced many future politicians, such as Margaret Thatcher. Some reforms he made are still in place today. After a full life and a long career, he died at the age of 88. He died from cancer on May 19, 1898. He is buried in Westminster