1-153-105 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898), British Liberal statesman, c1870. William Gladstone was born in Liverpool and educated at Oxford from where in 1832 he embarked on his political career. He became Prime Minister in 1868, and then a further two times in 1880 and 1886. Whilst in power Gladstone brought in major reforms to Ireland and established a system of national education in England.