Gladstone: A Biography

by Philip Magnus-Allcroft

William Ewart Gladstone was one of the most extraordinary statesmen of the nineteenth century. He began his parliamentary career in 1832 as a Tory, sitting for a rotten borough. However, over the years he shifted his point of view and became the champion of middle-class liberalism, going on to serve four times as Liberal Prime Minister. A man of strong moral principles, Gladstone brought about sweeping changes in the voting system and many important social reforms, becoming known as 'the people's William'. He was also famed for his charitable work rescuing prostitutes from London's streets.
In this study, Philip Magnus gives us a vivid portrait of a remarkably energetic man whose love of god, of his family and of the British people made him one of the outstanding, and perhaps one of the most characteristic, figures of Victorian Britain.

Genres: Biography, History, Politics, Nonfiction

512 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1954

About the author

Sir Philip Montefiore Magnus-Allcroft, 2nd Baronet, CBE was a British biographer.

Not to be confused with his grandfather, Philip Magnus.

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my notes on Lytton Strachey's Queen Victoria for what possessed me to start this - going well so far!

This proved to be an excellent use of a few days - constantly referring to wikipedia for clarifications like "Who was Bismarck?", "who fought the Crimean War and why?" and so on, went on a long way to dispelling my general sense of ignorance with regard to 19th century European history.

[Lorenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book as an introduction to William Gladstone because of all the negative comments i have read about Roy Jenkin’s work. I would have to say that I was not disappointed and I would definitely recommend this as a good alternative (although i still plan to read Roy Jenkin’s work later on) as it covers all the important events in the Gladstone life. Although I would have wanted better explanation and more background information on some topics(such as international affairs, relationship with Disraeli, economic policies etc) so as to elimate the need to go to wikipedia, Still this book allowed me to learn new things that I didn’t know before. For that and for the author’s ability to tell the Gladstone’s story without it becoming dry and boring(unlike what I have heard about Roy Jenkin’s book), i give it four stars.

[Madeleine Liu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most patrician biography I have ever read. There are no citations nor a bibliography—the footnotes are merely curiosities, such as the salary of him or the new title of her—the captions to the political cartoons are presented without comment—even the punctuation and conventions (from saying "twelve millions" to "the Sudan") all speak to a time of Tory privilege, when the more common facts of British history were known to all. But then, I dare not to misrepresent a man like Sir Philip Montefiore Magnus-Allcroft, 2nd Bart., C.B.E.
Yet this is also a most incredible biography, very fluid and coherent, and only rarely does it become dull. The incidents are colourful and many lasting images—"Old Glad Eyes" from the 1983 BBC series "Number 10", for instance, lifts directly. And this was a first-rate as well as a first biography: it does not draw on Morley's analysis, or the few studies issued to date, but almost exclusively on letters, papers and memoranda. That Sir Philip made this excellent book from this alone is a testament to his skill.
Now, I have not said anything about Gladstone himself. In a way, I cannot do it. He is such a singular man, and his biographers know it. He failed at Home Rule, failed with Gordon, and succeeded quite incidentally to his object of infusing Christian morality and decency into British politics and manliness. His belief was ardent and pure; his energy incredible; his speech from the heart. He stands, if not above, then apart from all others. For such a man, it was kismet that such a skilful storyteller could have committed himself to the task of representing him.
This is an excellent book.

[Howard Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a readable biography of Gladstone; it provides an excellent overview of British parliamentary politics from the 1850s through the 1890s.