1-345-850 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'Mr Gladstone reading the lessons in Hawarden Church', late 19th century. William Ewart Gladstone MP (1809-1898), British Liberal Prime Minister, 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. He lived in Hawarden Castle in north Wales, the home of his wife's family. Here he reads the lesson in the local church, St Deiniol's.