Gladstone, William Ewart
Pronunciation: /ˈgladstən/
Definition of Gladstone, William Ewart
- (1809–98), British Liberal statesman, Prime Minister 1868–74, 1880-5, 1886, and 1892-4. At first a Conservative minister, he later joined the Liberal Party, becoming its leader in 1867. His ministries saw the introduction of elementary education, the passing of the Irish Land Acts and the third Reform Act, and his campaign in favour of Home Rule for Ireland.