Gladstone, 1809-1874

William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898) was both the most characteristic and most extraordinary of Victorians. His huge public career--in and out of office from 1834 to 1894 and four timesPrime Minister--was consistently controversial and dramatic. His private life was a most curious blend of happiness and temptation.His Christian faith held the extremes of his character in sufficientharmony to avoid disintegration and to produce one of the mostpowerful political personalities in British history.