SUMMARY: Benjamin Disraeli (21 December 1804–19 April 1881) British Prime Minister
Benjamin Disraeli Quotes
Benjamin Disraeli Books
Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, KG, PC, FRS was a British Conservative statesman who had much success politically, as well as being a literary figure. He served in government for three decades, twice as Prime Minister, and wrote several books.
Benjamin Disraeli was the first person of Jewish parentage to serve as Prime Minister. Disraeli is credited with the creation of the modern Conservative Party after the Corn Laws schism of 1846.
Benjamin Disraeli was born in the city of London. He was born on December 21, 1804. He was one of the greatest author’s and illustrators of his time, besides being a politician.
His father groomed him for a career in law, and Disraeli was articled to a solicitor in 1821. Law was not of an interest to him at the time, and in 1825 he had given it up. He speculated on the stock exchange on various South American mining companies, and formed some ties during this time that would later help him politically. Benjamin tried to start a paper, and it failed, and his debts were large, so he turned to writing literature.
Isaac Disraeli, Benjamin Disraeli’s father was very interested in literature. Benjamin Disraeli like his father found literature very interesting, and this interest combined with large debts fueled his ambitions to write. His first novel was “Vivian Grey” and it was published in 1826.
All of his books sold very well and were very popular. His second book “The Young Duke” was written in 1831. He wrote a third book in1832 and the book was called “Contarini Fleming.”
1. The Vivian Grey, 1826
2. The Young Duke, 1831
3. Contarini Fleming, 1832
4. Alroy was published in1833
5. Henrietta Temple was published in1837
6. Venetia and it was published in1837
All of these books were very popular and made him wealthy. But in addition to that, his ability to write helped form his political career. Benjamin Disraeli found himself very interested in politics and studied it. In the early 1830’s he stood in many different elections. His first real efforts, however, did not come until 1832, during the great crisis over the Reform Bill, when he contributed to an anti-Whig pamphlet. His political career was relatively unsuccessful at first. But finally he won a seat in the House of Commons in 1837 representing the constituency of Maidstone.
In 1839 Benjamin Disraeli married a widow who was fairly wealthy. Her name was Mrs. Wyndham Lewis. Their marriage was a great success.
On many occasions Benjamin Disraeli would make random remarks about how he had married for money at first. His wife however replied by saying that if he was to do it again that he would do it out of love. It just took him more time to realize it.
After that he got married and settled down then his writing was his life he had fun writing and he did it for the rest of his life in addition to politics.
The Conservative Party Split in 1846 had profound implications for Disraeli’s political career: almost every Conservative politician with official experience followed Peel, leaving the rump bereft of leadership. Benjamin Disraeli was there to fill the gap. The time was one of political turmoil, party confusion, and reform bills, but through it all Disreali brought many great changes to Parliament, including reforming acts about Jews holding office, and the formation of the modern Conservative party.
Benjamin Disraeli’s life in a time frame,
• 1804, He was born
• 1817, He was baptized
• 1825, Joins the stock market
• 1826, Starts to become a journalist
• 1827, Published his first book
• 1831, Meets his new wife
• 1832, Alroy gets published
• 1839, He gets married
• 1848, His father dies
• 1853, receives a degree from Oxford.
• 1868, is elected and resigns as Prime Minister.
• 1874, Disraeli and the Conservative Party won the election.
• 1876, elevated to the House of Lords by Queen Victoria
• 1881, April 19, was the year he died
Benjamin Disraeli was a very talented political figure and was an accomplished writer. He was and is unusual among British Prime Ministers for having gained equal social and political renown.
