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Thomas Macaulay - English Writer, Statesman (1800-59)
He was a poet, historian, essayist, biographer, and politician. He served as Secretary of War in the English Cabinet, representative to the House of Commons, and legal adviser to the Supreme Council of India. As an author he was best known for his "History of England" and for "Lays of Ancient Rome", a collection of poems about Roman heroes. He also authored many biographies of literary figures for the Enclyclopaedia Britannica.
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James Bryce - English Historian, Statesman (1838-1922)
He was a professor of civil law at Oxford University and author of great works in several fields including "The American Commonwealth" and "History of the Holy Roman Empire". He also wrote books on jurisprudence, travel, and political science. He was a leader of the Liberal party and held several major government posts including Ambassador to the U.S. between 1907 and 1913, and served on the International Court of Justice.
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Edmund Burke - British Statesman (1729-1797)
Born in Ireland, he first studied law but abandoned it for literary work. He was a famed speaker and prolific author who was a sympathetic and forceful advocate of the causes of the American colonies, Irish Catholics, and the abolition of slavery. He was philosophically opposed to the doctrines of the French Revolution, feeling that its chaotic course and unrestrained democracy were inferior to constitutionalism. He served in Parliament for nearly 30 years, rising to become among its most eloquent and influential orators.
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Lord Curzon - British Politician (1859-1925)
George Nathaniel Curzon served as a Member of Parliament from 1886 to 1898. He also served as Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs. In 1898 he became Viceroy of India but resigned in 1905 due to major differences with the commander of the Indian Army, Lord Kitchener. Curzon returned to England and in 1908 entered the House of Lords, serving also as as Chancellor of Oxford University. He became an Earl in 1911, head of the Foreign Office in 1919, and stayed on as Foreign Secretary until 1924.
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Lord Rosebery - British Politician (1847-1929)
Liberal member in the House of Lords who promoted social reform policies. Between 1880 and 1889 he held several positions in Prime Minister William Gladstone's government, including Foreign Secretary. In 1889 Rosebery became chairman of the London County Council. He again was appointed Foreign Secretary in 1892. Rosebery led the Liberal Party until he resigned in 1896.
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Richard Webster - English Politician (1842-1915)
His formal title was Viscount Alverstone. He served on several international arbitration commissions, also served in the House of Commons, and as Lord Chief Justice of England between 1900 and 1913. Throughout his political career he was intimately involved in work for the church. A respected orator, his speeches were noted for their grave and earnest demeanor.
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Theobald Wolfe Tone - Irish Nationalist (1763-1798)
Trained as a barrister, he believed that the Irish must have separate nation to be free of English domination. Inspired by the French Revolution, in 1791 he co-founded the Society of United Irishmen. Pursued by English authorities, he fled Ireland to America, returning to lead several unsuccessful French-backed invasions against the English. He was captured, jailed and sentenced to death. He attempted suicide while in jail, slitting his throat with a knife, and died a week later from his wound.
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Robert Emmett - Irish Nationalist (1778-1803)
He followed his elder brother Thomas, a lawyer who defended many Irish political prisoners, in joining the Society of United Irishmen, the nationalist organization co-founded several years earlier by Wolfe Tone. Emmett left Ireland in 1800 for exile in Europe, returning in 1802 to participate in an insurrection against the English. The revolt proved premature, poorly coordinated, was undermined by treachery and failed. He was captured, charged with treason, tried, and hanged.
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Arthur Balfour - British Politician (1848-1930)
First elected as a Conservative Member of Parliament in 1885, he quickly rose in stature serving as Secretary for Scotland, Chief Secretary of Ireland, First Lord of the Treasury , and leader of the House of Commons. He served as Prime Minister (1902-05), and as Leader of the opposition in 1906. He succeeded Winston Churchill as First Lord of the Admiralty in 1915. He also served as Foreign Secretary, and in 1917 made the Balfour Declaration in which the British government which promised the Jewish peoples a national home in Palestine.
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Israel Zangwill - English Author & Activist (1864-1926)
A spokesman for Anglo Jewry who fought for the creation of a Jewish state as well as for women's suffrage, international amity, and pacifism. He authored plays, a collection of poems, and achieved success with several novels on Jewish themes and immigrant life in East London. Zangwill was a leading member of the Order of Ancient Maccabeans, a Zionist society established in 1891, and occasionally collaborated with Hungarian Zionist leader Theodor Herzl on strategy for settlement of Jews in a national homeland.
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Joseph Chamberlain - English Statesman (1836-1914)
A successful businessman, he was elected mayor of Birmingham and introduced progressive social reforms that brought him national recognition. He was elected to Parliament in 1876, and in 1880 was appointed President of the Board of Trade by William Gladstone. He was considered a leader of the Radicals, calling for land and housing reform, and higher taxes on the rich. He also strongly supported Bristish Imperialism. His son, Neville Chamberlain, also became prominent in politics and served as Prime Minister from 1937 to 1940.
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John Sholto Douglas - English Noble (1844-1900)
Known as "Old Q" after his title as the 8th Marquis of Queensbury. He is remembered for devising a set of rules for boxing in 1867 known as the "Queensbury Rules" which prevail in that sport to this day. He is also remembered, more infamously, for having stood trial for libelling Oscar Wilde, the great Irish author and playwright with whom Douglas' son, Lord Alfred Douglas was allegedly having a homosexual affair. The trial led to Wilde's public disgrace, imprisonment, and personal ruin.
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