Beaconsfield
BENJAMIN DIS- RAELI, EARL OF, an English statesman and novelist, of Jewish extraction; London, Dec. 21, 1804. He attended for a time a private school, and was first destined for the law, but turned to Greece, Turkey, and Syria, and gaining Grey," his first novel; and sub experiences which were afterward re- Greece, Turkey, and Syria, and gaining experiences which were afterward re- LORD BEACONSFIELD subsequently produced in his books. In 1831 "The Young Duke" appeared, followed by "Contarini Fleming," "Alroy," "Hen- Young Duke" appeared, followed by rietta Temple," "Venetia," "The Revolutionary Epic" (a poem), etc. In 1832, rietta Temple," "Venetia," "The Revoand on two subsequent occasions, he appeared as candidate for the representation of High Wycombe, but was unsuccessful. In 1835 he unsuccessfully he gained an entrance to the House of Commons, being elected for Maidstone.
His first speech in the House was treated with ridicule; but he finished with the prophetic declaration that the time would come when they would hear him. During his first years in Parliament, he was a supporter of Peel; but him. During his first years in Parlia- time would come when they would hear the corn laws, Disraeli became the leader of the Protectionists. About this time he became a leader of what was known as the Young England party, the most prominent characteristic of which was as the Young England party, the most 1 BEAN dalism. This spirit showed itself in his two novels of "Coningsby" and "Sybil, published respectively in 1844 and 1845.
Having acquired the manor of Hughen den, in Buckinghamshire, he was in 1847 elected for this county, and he retained his seat till raised to the peerage, nearly 30 years later. His first appointment to office was in 1852, when he became Derby. The following year, ministry was defeated. He remained Derby. The following year, however, the Chancellor of the Exchequer under Lord out of office till 1858, when he again ar, however, the became Chancellor of the Exchequer, and out of office till 1858, when he again brought in a reform bill which wrecked the government. During the time the brought in a reform bill which wrecked Palmerston gov Mr. Disraeli led the opposition in the Palmerston government was in office, lower House. resigned, and Derby and Disraeli came lower House. In 1866 the Liberals into power, the latter being again Chancellor of the Exchequer. They imme- into power, the latter being again Chandiately brought in, and carried, after a violent struggle, a reform bill, on the basis of household suffrage. In 1868, he became Premier on the resignation of short. In 1874 he again became Prime Minister with a strong Conservative majority, and he remained in power for six years. This period was marked by his elevation to the peerage, in 1876, as six years. This period was marked by nent part he took in regard to the Eastern Question and the conclusion of the Treaty of Berlin in 1878. In 1880, Parliament was rather suddenly dissolved, and the new Parliament showing an overwhelming Liberal majority, he resigned at once. Within a few months orous. of his death, in London, April 19, 1891, of the English Constitution" (1834); signed at once. Within a few months "Alarcos, a T (1881); and "Lord George Bentinck, a
He also wrote "A Vindication Political Biography" (1852).
Tragedy" (1839); "Loth covered by Admiral Fitzroy, during a Political Biography" (1852).