William Ewart Gladstone

William Ewart Gladstone (1809–1898) was a British statesman who served four times as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1868–1874, 1880–1885, 1886, and 1892–1894). A leading figure in the Liberal Party, he was also Chancellor of the Exchequer on several occasions and represented constituencies in Parliament for decades. Gladstone became known for major reform measures, including the disestablishment of the Church of Ireland and the introduction of secret ballots. Renowned as an orator, he produced influential political speeches and writings that shaped Victorian public debate and liberal policy.