William Ewart Gladstone Biography

One of the most formidable men the history of UK politics, William Ewart Gladstone was the Prime Minster of United Kingdom four times. Known as the ‘The People's William’, he was a Conservative when he entered politics, but later moved to the liberal party, where he remained till his retirement. A god-fearing person and man of principles, Gladstone brought a wave of reforms in Britain and also freed Ireland by separating its Church from Britain. His intelligence and command over language were two of his several impressive traits which he used to the best of his capacity. The number of reforms that he brought about while in power won him the approval of his countrymen, who elected him more than once. During his fourth term as the PM (at the age of 82), influential journalist William Stead wrote “Mr. Gladstone is old enough to be the grandfather of the younger race of politicians, but his courage, his faith, and his versatility, put the youngest of them to shame.”