
The Great Rivalry
Gladstone and Disraeli
Dick Leonard(Author)
I.B. Tauris (Publisher)
Published on 28. April 2016
Book
Paperback/Softback
258 pages
978-1-78453-637-4 (ISBN)
Description
Benjamin Disraeli and William Ewart Gladstone are without doubt the two most iconic figures of nineteenth century British politics. Their distinctly different personalities and policies led to 28 years of bitter political rivalry. Between 1853 and Disraeli's death in 1881, the two leaders repeatedly succeeded each other in Westminster, first as Chancellors of the Exchequer and later as Prime Ministers, with Disraeli leading the Conservatives and Gladstone the Liberals.
For the first time, this book provides the full story of their rivalry and its origins, comparing the upbringing, education and personalities of the two leaders, as well as their political careers and time in office. Dick Leonard compares the impact of religion - Judaism and Christianity respectively - on the two men, their contrasting oratorical skills, their attitudes to political and social reform, foreign affairs and imperialism. It is well known that Queen Victoria was much fonder of Disraeli than she was of Gladstone, but Leonard provides new facets on the relationship between each premier and the monarch. In their private lives he sheds new light on Gladstone's guilt-ridden obsession with seeking out prostitutes, ostensibly in order to 'reform' them, and Disraeli's passion for older women - his wife was 12 years his senior - as well as his almost completely successful efforts to conceal the existence of two illegitimate children.
Providing important new perspectives on the two towering political characters of the Victorian Age and the enduring legacy of a great rivalry, this book will be essential reading for anyone interested in nineteenth century British history and politics.
For the first time, this book provides the full story of their rivalry and its origins, comparing the upbringing, education and personalities of the two leaders, as well as their political careers and time in office. Dick Leonard compares the impact of religion - Judaism and Christianity respectively - on the two men, their contrasting oratorical skills, their attitudes to political and social reform, foreign affairs and imperialism. It is well known that Queen Victoria was much fonder of Disraeli than she was of Gladstone, but Leonard provides new facets on the relationship between each premier and the monarch. In their private lives he sheds new light on Gladstone's guilt-ridden obsession with seeking out prostitutes, ostensibly in order to 'reform' them, and Disraeli's passion for older women - his wife was 12 years his senior - as well as his almost completely successful efforts to conceal the existence of two illegitimate children.
Providing important new perspectives on the two towering political characters of the Victorian Age and the enduring legacy of a great rivalry, this book will be essential reading for anyone interested in nineteenth century British history and politics.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
20 bw in 16pp plates
Dimensions
Height: 232 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
380 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78453-637-4 (9781784536374)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
06/2013
1st Edition
I.B. Tauris
€29.99
Available for download
Person
Dick Leonard is a historian, journalist and author and a former Labour MP. For many years he was Assistant Editor of The Economist, and headed their office in Brussels, where he was later also correspondent of The Observer. He also worked for the BBC, and contributed regularly to leading newspapers across the world. His publications include The Economist Guide to the European Union, Elections in Britain, A Century of Premiers: Salisbury to Blair; Nineteenth Century British Premiers: Pitt to Rosebery and Eighteenth Century British Premiers: Walpole to the Younger Pitt.
Content
Prologue - the events of 16-17 December 1852.
1. Benjamin Disraeli - early and middle life, 1804-1852.
2. William Gladstone - early and middle life, 1809-1852.
3. Three decades of rivalry - 1853-1881.
4. Gladstone alone, 1881-1898.
Epilogue - two living legacies
1. Benjamin Disraeli - early and middle life, 1804-1852.
2. William Gladstone - early and middle life, 1809-1852.
3. Three decades of rivalry - 1853-1881.
4. Gladstone alone, 1881-1898.
Epilogue - two living legacies