1-155-165 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

William Ewart Gladstone, British Liberal statesman, 19th century. William Gladstone (1809-1898) 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.