"William Ewart Gladstone was one of the most extraordinary statesmen of the nineteenth century. He began his parliamentary career in 1832 as a Tory, sitting for a rotten borough. However, over the years he shifted his point of view and became the champion of middle-class liberalism, going on to serve four times as Liberal Prime Minister. A man of strong moral principles, Gladstone brought about sweeping changes in the voting system and many important social reforms, becoming known as 'the people's William'. He was also famed for his charitable work rescuing prostitutes from London's streets." "In this study, Philip Magnus gives us a vivid portrait of a remarkably energetic man whose love of god, of his family and of the British people made him one of the outstanding, and perhaps one of the most characteristic, figures of Victorian Britain."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved