Table of Contents

Introduction; The Young Tory; From High Tory to Reforming Peelite 1841-51; The Struggle for Peelite Finance 1851-1855; Years of Decision 1855-59; Gladstonian Finance 1859-1866; The Ascent to Leadership 1865-1868; 'I Ascend a Steepening Path': Prime Minister 1868-74; Gladstone's Foreign Policy 1868-1880; Gladstonian Liberalism; Gladstone's Second Government 1880-1885: Foreign and Domestic Policy; Gladstone and Ireland 1880-1885; Gladstone and Irish Home Rule; Gladstone, 1886-1898: Raging against the Dying of the Light; Gladstone: A Study in Victorian Dialectic; Notes; Bibliography; Index

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A comprehensive review of the political career and personal life of William Gladstone within the context of Victorian politics.

About the Author

Ian St John has taught history at Haberdashers' Aske's School in Hertfordshire since 2000. His chief research interests are in Victorian history.

Reviews

'A lucid and clearly presented analysis of the ways in which scholars have approached and interpreted the great Victorian.' -Eugenio F. Biagini, 'Victorian Studies' '...St John provide[s] a detailed examination of the multiple turns and twists in Gladstone's 60 plus years in public life. In the course of doing so he provides a thorough evaluation of the recent outpouring of Gladstonian literature. St John does this with assurance and welcome clarity...' -Russ Foster, 'History Review' 'The author provides frequent summaries and analyses throughout the text. One can read the work straight through, but readers can also go to specific sections and find them clearly laid out and summarized. In this regard, it would well serve any academic community. Recommended.' -P. T. Smith, Saint Joseph's University, 'Choice'