Gladstone And Disraeli

Benjamin Disraeli

• Early life
• Born in London (1804)
• Comes from a Jewish family
• Literary background
• At the age of 12 he was Baptized a Christian ... his father thought that this would make D more socially accepted and therefore, more accepted into politics.
• Born a Jew
• Family name  - D'Israeli
• He did not go to university
• BUT... always surrounded by books
• Also, no public school
• Brief education
• He is taught at a local church school
• Majority of it he taught himself from his fathers extensive library
• Unwise speculator ---> had debts, liked to gamble
• 1830's he lived in fear of his creditors
• When in parliament he would leave from the back entrance to not get "intimidated" by his creditors

• Novelist
• Vivian Gray... A flop?
• Best seller
• However, when found that a poor Jew had written this, it was heavily slated
• 1827-1830 (aged 22) Disraeli has a full mental breakdown for 3 years
• When he gets over his depression he goes traveling (1830-1831)
• He finds himself
• Finds his Jewish roots
• Socialite
• LOVES to wear flamboyant and bright clothing, which does not contrast
• Ringlets in his hair
• He emphasized them
• He gets a "dandy" reputation
• On his travels he spends a lot of time with Edward Litton
• They go to parties together
• Talk about literature in each others sleeping quarters
• Litton's wife says that D and Litton were having an affair
• D used to like older women

• Politics -A very slow start
• 1832- interest in politics because of his debt?
• Why did D join politics?
• 1) Strongly against 1832 reform act
• - Both think that it will threaten state institutions?
• -Church
• -Monarchy
• -Aristocracy
• ^ All 3 = example of traditional conservatives
• 2) Others say he joined politics because he was in sever debt?
• 1832-1835---S L O W !
• 3 times D stands to be a radical MP and 3 times he fails!
• Hates G because G got in with no struggle
• Lord Lyndhurst
• Tory MP 1837
• Both share bed of Lady Sykes
• Disraeli = good with written work
• 1837 speech ; he is accepted as a Tory MP
• 1837 first speech; Goes VERY badly!
• Insults the Irish MP's
• These MP's make a huge racket!
• …