Attlee was educated at Oxford University. After becoming a member of the bar, he became active in the Labor Party. He became an MP in 1922, and served in the World War II coalition government. In 1945, with Labor's victory at the polls, Atlee became the new Labor Prime Minister. Attlee instituted extensive social reforms in Great Britain. He was also instrumental in the British decision to grant independence to India, Pakistan, Ceylon and Burma. Atlee lost the election of 1955, and retired.
