Gimson’s Prime Minister’: Benjamin Disraeli

Disraeli was born a Jew and became prime minister in 1868 this is remarkable because until 10 years before he became prime minister (1858), Jews could not become prime ministers under law. Strictly speaking aged 12 he was baptised in the Church of England. On some levels he was proud to be Jewish however, he had dropped the apostrophe from his name D’Israeli putting less emphasis on Israel. Before entering politics Disraeli was a lawyer and then attempted to run his own newspaper but, that folded.

Before, during and after; his time in politics he wrote novels. He became prime minster aged 64, when Derby retired in February 1868, six months later in November 1868, he lost the general election to Gladstone. He had time to write another novel before winning the 1874 election and returning as prime minister. He impressed Queen Victoria by buying a controlling share of Suez Canal and gained her the title of Empress of India. Queen Victoria regularly sent him flowers.

Disraeli lost the election of 1880 to Gladstone. Before his death the following year he was able to complete his final novel.