First_Gladstone_Ministry

First Gladstone ministry

First Gladstone ministry

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The Conservative government under Benjamin Disraeli had been defeated at the 1868 general election, so in December 1868 the victorious William Gladstone formed his first government. He introduced reforms in the British Army (including the abolition of the purchase system), the legal system (establishing the Supreme Court of Judicature) and the Civil Service, and disestablished the Church of Ireland. In foreign affairs he pursued a peaceful policy. His ministry was defeated in the 1874 election, whereupon Disraeli formed a ministry and Gladstone retired as Leader of the Liberal Party.[1]

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Cabinet

December 1868 – February 1874

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Notes

Robert Lowe – ChancellorJohn Bright – Board of TradeGeorge Campbell, Duke of Argyll – IndiaGeorge Villiers, Earl of Clarendon – Foreign AffairsHenry Bruce, Baron Aberdare – Home SecretaryWilliam Wood, Baron Hatherley – Lord ChancellorGeorge Robinson, Earl de Grey and Ripon – Lord President of the CouncilGranville Leveson-Gower, Earl Granville – ColoniesJohn Wodehouse, Earl of Kimberley – Privy SealGeorge Goschen – Poor LawWilliam Ewart Gladstone – Prime MinisterSpencer Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington – Postmaster GeneralChichester Parkinson-Fortescue, Baron Carlingford – IrelandEdward Cardwell – Secretary for WarHugh Childers – First Lord of the AdmiraltyUse your cursor to explore (or click icon to enlarge)
Gladstone's Cabinet of 1868, painted by Lowes Cato Dickinson.[2] Use a cursor to see who is who.[3]
† The Earl de Grey was created the Marquess of Ripon in 1871.
‡ Henry Austin Bruce was created Baron Aberdare in 1873.
  • William Gladstone served as both First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer between August 1873 and February 1874.

Changes

  • July 1870: On the death of Lord Clarendon, Lord Granville succeeds him as Foreign Secretary. Lord Kimberley succeeds Granville as Colonial Secretary, and Lord Halifax succeeds Kimberley as Lord Privy Seal. W.E. Forster enters the cabinet as vice president of the council.
  • January 1871: Chichester Fortescue succeeds Bright at the Board of Trade. Lord Hartington succeeds Fortescue as Chief Secretary for Ireland. Hartington's successor as Postmaster-General is not in the Cabinet.
  • March 1871: G.J. Goschen succeeds Childers at the Admiralty. James Stansfeld succeeds Goschen at the Poor Law Board (which becomes the Local Government Board later that year).
  • August 1872: Hugh Childers returns to the Cabinet as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
  • October 1872: Lord Selborne succeeds Lord Hatherley as Lord Chancellor.
  • August 1873: Lord Aberdare (formerly Henry Austin Bruce) succeeds Lord Ripon as Lord President. Robert Lowe succeeds Aberdare as Home Secretary. Gladstone himself takes over the Exchequer.
  • September 1873: John Bright returns to the Cabinet, succeeding Childers at the Duchy of Lancaster.

List of ministers

Cabinet members are listed in bold face.

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Notes
  1. The Government resigned 13 March 1873 and resumed 19 March 1873.
  2. Created Marquess of Ripon on 23 June 1871.
  3. Created Baron Aberdare on 23 August 1873.
  4. Also Leader of the House of Lords.
  5. Entered the Cabinet in July 1870.
  6. Created Earl of Dufferin on 13 November 1871.
  7. Board abolished on 14 August 1871.
  8. Succeeded as 4th Earl of Kenmare on 26 December 1871.

References

  1. [1]
    C. Cook and B. Keith, British Historical Facts 1830–1900
  2. [2]
    Gladstone's Cabinet of 1868, Lowes Cato Dickinson, ref. NPG 5116, National Portrait Gallery, London, accessed January 2010
  3. [3]
    Shannon, Richard (1984). Gladstone: 1809-1865 (p.342). p. 580. ISBN 0807815918. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
Preceded by Government of the United Kingdom
1868–1874		 Succeeded by
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