The Grand Old Man: William Gladstone and the Making of Liberal England

Description

We are meant to become more conservative as we get older but Gladstone’s political career started as a High Tory opposed to the abolition of slavery and ended as a radical reformer committed to democracy and social reform.

Chancellor of the Exchequer in four governments and Prime Minister of four more, he dominated the political life of Britain in the second half of the nineteenth century, steering the country through unparalleled change and challenges.  Queen Victoria loathed him but perhaps the age in which they lived would better be described as Gladstonian Britain than Victorian Britain.  Why isn’t it?

The course will look at the career of the 19^th century British statesman William Ewart Gladstone.  We will be studying the political challenges that Britain faced in a period of unprecedented social and economic change and the role which Gladstone played in navigating the country through them.  We will explore Gladstone’s contribution to the development of mass political parties in British politics and his long term legacy in the British political system.  We will also, no doubt, find time to talk about his hobby of saving fallen women.

Residential Fees From: £358.   Non Residential: £240

Course runs from Dinner on Tuesday to Lunch on Thursday.