# Gladstone becomes prime minister (1868)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/1868-gladstone-becomes-prime-minister
Categories: ruler-change

William Ewart Gladstone formed his first Liberal government. Within the broader Victorian Britain period, industrial society, mass politics, public-health reform, global empire and the Irish question dominated public life. This event is placed at 1868 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. His premiership began a long era of rivalry with Benjamin Disraeli over reform, empire and the role of the state.

## Why it matters
His premiership began a long era of rivalry with Benjamin Disraeli over reform, empire and the role of the state.

Ruler at the time: [Victoria](https://english-history.com/rulers/victoria)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Gladstone becomes prime minister](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Gladstone+becomes+prime+minister&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Gladstone becomes prime minister](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Gladstone+becomes+prime+minister)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%281800%E2%80%931899%29)
- [The National Archives — Victorian resources](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/)