Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield

The Right Honourable Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, KG, PC (21 December, 1804 – 19 April, 1881) was a British statesman and literary figure. He served in government for three decades, twice as Prime Minister – the first and thus far only person of Jewish descent to do so, although Disraeli was baptized in the Anglican Church at an early age. Disraeli's most lasting achievement was the creation of the modern Conservative Party after the Corn Laws schism of 1846.

Related Topics:
The Right Honourable - KG - PC - 21 December - 1804 - 19 April - 1881 - British - Prime Minister - Jew - Baptized - Anglican Church - Conservative Party - Corn Laws

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His time in parliament from 1852 onwards was marked by his often intense rivalry with William Ewart Gladstone, who eventually rose to become leader (if not founder) of the Liberal Party. In this duel Disraeli was aided by his warm friendship with Queen Victoria, who came to detest Gladstone during the latter's first premiership in the 1870s. In 1876 Disraeli was raised to the peerage as the Earl of Beaconsfield, capping nearly four decades in the House of Commons. He died in 1881.

Related Topics:
1852 - William Ewart Gladstone - Liberal Party - Queen Victoria - 1870s - 1876 - Peerage - House of Commons - 1881

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Before and during his political career Disraeli was well-known as a literary and social figure, although his novels are not generally regarded as belonging to the first rank of Victorian literature. He mainly wrote romances, of which Sibyl and Vivian Grey are perhaps best-known, although Lothair was probably the most popular at the time.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~