The Gladstones de S. G. Checkland

The Gladstones: A Family Biography 1764–1851

S. G. Checkland

en Limba Engleză Paperback – 13 oct 2008

This full-scale study of the Gladstones, one of the most interesting and best documented families of nineteenth-century Britain. It centres on the formidable figure of John Gladstone and on his famous son. John made his fortune by trading in the difficult conditions of the revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. As a major slave owner he was deeply embroiled in the troubles of the West Indies and in the debate on slavery. He played an important role in the new trade with the East and, as an urban and agricultural developer and sponsor of the railway age, he hastened the coming of urban-industrial society. His manipulation of the pre-reform electorate of Liverpool and his relationships with Canning, Huskisson and the politically ambitious northern businessmen are revealing of the politics of the time.

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Part I. The Self-Made Trader, 1764–1812: 1. The grandfather of a Prime Minister: Thomas Gladstones; 2. The young trader of Leith: John Gladstones, 1764–87; 3. The life of a Liverpool corn dealer, 1787–9; 4. The American adventure, 1789–90; 5. The challenge of Liverpool, 1790–1800; 6. The widower and the provost of Dingwall's daughter, 1800; 7. War, business and family, 1800–5; 8. Politics and parenthood, 1806–12; Part II. The Liverpool Merchant Prince, 1812–22; 9. 1812: The critical election; 10. The great war: the last phase, 1812–15; 11. The Gladstones at Seaforth House, 1815–22; 12. Canning as protege, 1812–22; 13. John Gladstone and Canning on the nation's needs, 1812–22; 14. Shipowner, trader, planter and philanthropist, 1815–22; 15. The four sons: Eton and Glasgow Colleges and the navy, 1817–22; Part III. Ambitions, Personal and Parental, 1822–30: 16. Gladstone, Finlay, Canning and Huskisson, 1822–9; 17. Frustration, illnesses and the tragedy of Anne, 1822–9; 18. Railroads, charities, politics and fortune, 1822–9; 19. Sugar and slaves in the West Indies, 1823–9; 21. William at Eton and Oxford, 1822–9; 21. The leaving of Liverpool, 1829–30; Part IV. Three Unsettled Years, 1830–3: 22. Politics and business by post; 23. William at Oxford and Westminster; 24. Slave emancipation; Part V. The Aged Scottish Laird and his Politician Son, 1833–51: 25. The laird of Fasque and Balfour, 1833–40; 26. William at Westminster: his wooing and his writing, 1833–40; 27. India and China; the coolie system; railways, 1833–40; 28. Family, investments and advice to Sir Robert Peel, 1841–6; 29. William Ewart Gladstone as Peel's lieutenant, 1841-6; 30. The ancient baronet, 1846–51; 31. The dissolving family; Epilogue: The making of Mr Gladstone.