First Gladstone ministry

The Conservative government under Benjamin Disraeli had been defeated at the 1868 general election, so in December 1868 the victorious William Gladstone formed his first government.

He introduced reforms in the British Army (including the abolition of the purchase system), the legal system (establishing the Supreme Court of Judicature) and the Civil Service, and disestablished the Church of Ireland.

In foreign affairs he pursued a peaceful policy.

His ministry was defeated in the 1874 election, whereupon Disraeli formed a ministry and Gladstone retired as Leader of the Liberal Party.

[1] Cabinet members are listed in bold face.

Robert Lowe – Chancellor John Bright – Board of Trade George Campbell, Duke of Argyll – India George Villiers, Earl of Clarendon – Foreign Affairs Henry Bruce, Baron Aberdare – Home Secretary William Wood, Baron Hatherley – Lord Chancellor George Robinson, Earl de Grey and Ripon – Lord President of the Council Granville Leveson-Gower, Earl Granville – Colonies John Wodehouse, Earl of Kimberley – Privy Seal George Goschen – Poor Law William Ewart Gladstone – Prime Minister Spencer Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington – Postmaster General Chichester Parkinson-Fortescue, Baron Carlingford – Ireland Edward Cardwell – Secretary for War Hugh Childers – First Lord of the Admiralty Use your cursor to explore (or click icon to enlarge)
Gladstone's Cabinet of 1868, painted by Lowes Cato Dickinson . [ 2 ] Use a cursor to see who is who. [ 3 ]