William Ewart Gladstone

Profile & Legacies Summary

29^th Dec 1809 - 19^th May 1898

Biography

One of the most important of C19th politicians.
Although not a claimant, Gladstone was closely involved with the claims of his father, John Gladstone [q.v.], one of the largest of owners of the enslaved in the Caribbean and a highly influential figure in the West India lobby. As a politican, W. E. Gladstone supported compensation for slave-owners, the system of apprenticeship, and the defence of the West India interest over such matters as sugar duties.
For a detailed examination of his views on slavery, see Roland Quinault, ‘Gladstone and Slavery’, The Historical Journal, 52 (2) (2009), pp. 363–83.

Further Information

Absentee?

British/Irish

Legacies Summary

Political (1)

Tory-Peelite-Liberal

Details

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Newark Nottinghamshire
1832 - 1845

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Vacated his seat as MP for Newark December 1845 when offered and accepted office as Colonial Secretary under Peel. Unable to find another seat until he was elected for Oxford University in August...

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Oxford University Oxfordshire
1847 - 1865

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Lancashire Southern Lancashire
1865 - 1868

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Greenwich Kent
1868 - 1880

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Midlothian Midlothian
1880 - 1895