William Ewart Gladstone

GLADSTONE, William Ewart. b. Liverpool, 29 December 1809; d. Hawarden, Cheshire, 19 May 1898. He was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford (BA, 1831). He had some thoughts of taking Holy Orders, but his father’s influence with Lord John Russell found him a seat in Parliament in 1832. He went on to become arguably the greatest British statesman of the 19th century, serving as Prime Minister four times. The details of his political life are well documented elsewhere. His life was one of immense energy and variety, in which hymnody played a minor part, although hymnologists may wish to note his admiration for Joseph Anstice*, whom Gladstone knew at Christ Church, and who died young...