Prime Ministers (19th Century), Part 4

1852-68: the Earl of Derby, the Earl of Aberdeen, Lord Palmerston, Lord Russell, Benjamin Disraeli

Lord Russell was replaced by the 14th Earl of Derby (1799-1869, born Edward Stanley), who had also belonged to former governments, Whig and Tory as well. Derby wasn´t too successful (several of the leading figures refused to serve him), so a few months later, in December 1852, the next one tried his luck. It was the 4th Earl of Aberdeen (1784-1860, born George Hamilton Gordon, but inherited the title in 1801 already), who had been foreign-secretary under Wellington and Peel. Aberdeen´s government was very popular at first, but when Britain became involved in the "Crimean War" (the very first war which was brought to the public at home with almost instant news-coverage via telegraph), he was blamed for the mismanagement of the war (obviously, this war had no "real" cause). In February 1855, he retired.

The next leader was one of the most prominent politicians in the 19th century. It´s Henry John Temple, or better-known under the title he inherited in 1802, 2ndViscount Palmerston (1784-1865). He had served as Tory war-secretary from 1809-29, as foreign-secretary 1830- 41 and 1846-51 (serving Whig- and Tory-governments as well) and as home-secretary 1852-55 already when he became Prime Minister until 1858, when the 14th Earl of Derby returned for a few months again. Queen Victoria disliked Palmerston before, partly even because of his "sexual behaviour" (yes, even that old man on the right had a past), but she was glad how his leadership turned out.

The signature on the right, by the way, is on a short letter to Sidney Herbert (his future war-secretary), dated 6th June 1859, inviting him to speak at a meeting later that day. This meeting, according to some historians (and according to a Palmerston biographer) "marked the birth of the modern Liberal Party", which became the successor of the Whig-Party. A few days later, Derby´s government was defeated on a vote of confidence, and the Queen asked Palmerston to form another government, which he led until his death in October 1865.

He was followed for a few months by John Russell, who had been Prime Minister already from 1846-52, and again the 14th Earl of Derby (1866-68).

Another important personality during Queen Victorias reign was Benjamin Disraeli (1801-81, Earl of Beaconsfield from 1876 on), who had always been a favorite of Queen Victoria. He served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in Derby´s governments already, and was the speaker of the Tories from 1846-66. He followed Derby just for a short time in 1868, but returned as PM from 1874-80. His signatures on the left, a photo of Disraeli on the right.

Please click here to continue... 

Or to go back to "Prime Minister (19th Century) - Index"