Benjamin Disraeli (Earl of Beaconsfield)

Benjamin Disraeli was born to a Jewish family in London, England in 1804. Disraeli was groomed for a career in law, but he was more interested in becoming a writer. After a financial disaster resulting from a newspaper he published promoting the mining industry prior to the burst of the mining “bubble” in 1825, Disraeli became a novelist, penning such books as Vivian Grey and Sybil. Disraeli then turned to politics, winning a seat in the House of Commons in 1837. Disraeli remained in politics for more than 40 years, serving as Prime Minister twice. Disraeli is credited with creating the political novel, as well as the modern Conservative Party.