Dick Leonard

British Prime Ministers from Walpole to Salisbury: The 18th and 19th Centuries

Volume 1

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

Dick Leonard's British Prime Ministers from Walpole to Salisbury: The 18th and 19th Centuries surveys the lives and careers of all the 32 Prime Ministers from Sir Robert Walpole (1721-42) to Archibald Philip Primrose, fifth Earl of Rosebery (1894-95), in 32 succinct, informative and entertaining chapters.

Bringing to life the political achievements and personal idiosyncrasies of Britain's rulers over the 18th and 19th centuries, the author recounts the circumstances which took them to the pinnacle of British political life, probes their political and personal strengths and weaknesses, assesses their performance in office and asks what lasting influence they have had. Along the way Leonard entertains and informs, revealing little-known facts about the private lives of each of the Prime Ministers, such as who was suspected to be an illegitimate half-brother of George III, who was assassinated in the House of Commons, and who spent his evenings prowling the streets of London, trying to "reform" prostitutes.

This book can also form part of a two-volume set published by Routledge including the companion volume Modern British Prime Ministers from Balfour to Johnson.

This book will be of key interest to scholars, students and readers of British political history, the Executive, government and British politics.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Routledge / Taylor & Francis
• Seitenzahl: 432
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 20mm x 174mm x 246mm
• Gewicht: 886g
• ISBN-13: 9780367469115
• Artikelnr.: 59984297

Autorenporträt

Dick Leonard is a journalist, author and former Labour MP. He was Assistant Editor of The Economist for 12 years, and has also worked for The Observer, the BBC, the Fabian Society, the Centre for European Policy Studies and the Publishers Association.

Inhaltsangabe

Introduction: The Road to the Prime Ministership PART I: The 18^th Century 1. Robert Walpole, 1^st Earl of Orford: "All these men have their price" 2. Spencer Compton, 1^st Earl of Wilmington: "George II's favourite nonentity" 3. Henry Pelham: Pragmatic heir to Walpole 4. Thomas Pelham-Holles, Duke of Newcastle: Mighty Panjamdrum, feeble Premier 5. William Cavendish, 4^th Duke of Devonshire: "I have no motive but the King's service" 6. John Stuart, 3^rd Earl of Bute: The King's "dearest friend" 7. George Grenville: Able Premier, undermined by his own prolixity 8. Charles Wentworth-Watson, 2^nd Marquess of Rockingham: The conscience of the Whigs 9. William Pitt, the Elder, 1^st Earl of Chatham: "I am sure that I can save this country, and that nobody else can" 10. Augustus Henry Fitzroy, 3^rd Duke of Grafton: Well-intentioned dilettante 11. Frederick North, styled Lord North: Outstanding parliamentarian, pity about the colonies... 12. William Petty, 2^nd Earl of Shelburne: Intellectual in Politics 13. William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, 3^rd Duke of Portland: Twice a figurehead 14. William Pitt, the Younger: Reformer Turned Reactionary? PART II: The 19^th Century 15. Henry Addington, 1^st Viscount Sidmouth: Better than his Reputation? 16. William Grenville, 1^st Baron Grenville: Not Quite 'All the Talents' 17. Spencer Perceval: Struck Down in his Prime 18. Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2^nd Earl of Liverpool: Keeping the Show on the Road 19. George Canning: In the Footsteps of Pitt 20. Frederick John Robinson, Viscount Goderich, 1^st Earl of Ripon: Inadequate Stopgap 21. Arthur Wesley (Wellesley), 1^st Duke of Wellington: Military Hero, Political Misfit? 22. Charles Grey, 2^nd Earl Grey: In the Footsteps of Fox 23. William Lamb, 2^nd Viscount Melbourne: Mentor to a Young Monarch 24. Sir Robert Peel: Arch Pragmatist or Tory Traitor? 25. Lord John Russell, 1^st Earl Russell: From Whig to Liberal 26. Edward Stanley, 14^th Earl of Derby: 'The Brilliant Chief, Irregularly Great' 27. George Hamilton Gordon, 4^th Earl of Aberdeen: Failure or Scapegoat? 28. Henry John Temple, 3^rd Viscount Palmerston: Master Diplomat or Playground Bully? 29. Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield: Climbing 'the Greasy Pole' 30. William Ewart Gladstone: From 'Stern Unbending Tory' to 'The People's William' 31. Robert Cecil, 3^rd Marquess of Salisbury: Skilful Opponent of Reform 32. Archibald Philip Primrose, 5^th Earl of Rosebery: Seeking 'the Palm without the Dust'

Rezensionen

"... a great resource for students, scholars and the general public alike. It contains essential information on the prime ministers as leaders but also as people: how they ended up in the role. their character, achievements and weaknesses .... as well as providing fascinating insights into the broader political issues of their time." - Oliver Daddow, University of Nottingham, UK

"Dick Leonard's book on British Prime Ministers is an excellent account of the changing role of the premiership in UK politics, and the twists and turns of political life. The book is of great interest to the general reader, but also a fantastic undergraduate and postgraduate teaching resource." - Patrick Diamond, Queen Mary, University of London, UK

"A terrific read and also a major contribution to public debate." - David Marquand, University of Oxford, UK

"... a great resource for students, scholars and the general public alike. It contains essential information on the prime ministers as leaders but also as people: how they ended up in the role. their character, achievements and weaknesses .... as well as providing fascinating insights into the broader political issues of their time." - Oliver Daddow, University of Nottingham, UK

"Dick Leonard's book on British Prime Ministers is an excellent account of the changing role of the premiership in UK politics, and the twists and turns of political life. The book is of great interest to the general reader, but also a fantastic undergraduate and postgraduate teaching resource." - Patrick Diamond, Queen Mary, University of London, UK

"A terrific read and also a major contribution to public debate." - David Marquand, University of Oxford, UK