Elected to Parliament in 1832, William Gladstone was 
initially a Tory, but defected to the Whigs (shortly to be 
termed Liberals) with the Peelites over Corn Law reform. 
A pious and learned man, his impressive speaking skills, 
and intellectual and moral authority made him tower over 
his colleagues, and he became leader of the Liberals in 
1867. His first period as Prime Minister saw wide-ranging 
domestic reform, but lack of party unity led to electoral defeat 
in 1874. Gladstone resigned, but re-emerged as Disraeli's great Parliamentary opponent - and went on to three further premierships. 

With Disraeli, Gladstone dominated British politics in the second half of the 19th century. His premierships were characterised by good financial
management, inspirational leadership of the party - and an obsession with Irish Home Rule, which he never succeeded in introducing.