The modern nation-state of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (U.K.) is a relatively recent invention — it’s current name dates only to 1927, when it was changed from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to recognize the independence of the Irish Free State. However, the constituent parts of the U.K. (save Northern Ireland, whose long-ago history is more properly considered with that of the rest of the island of Ireland) are ancient indeed. The first king of a united England is a subject of debate, but Æthelstan in 928 was the first to use the title King of the English. Kenneth MacAlpin, who reigned in the 840s, is widely described as the first King of Scotland, although he didn’t use the term himself. Wales was rarely unified under a single sovereign before the English conquest in the thirteenth century (although Gruffydd ap Llywelyn bore the title King of Wales during 1055 – 1063), but various principalities in what would become Wales existed as far back as the 5th century.
England (which as mentioned previously had conquered Wales by the end of the thirteenth century) and Scotland remained formally independent kingdoms until 1707, although they were united under the rule of a single monarch (James VI of Scotland, now also James I of England) beginning in 1603. The unification of England and Scotland under a single monarch and parliament created the Kingdom of Great Britain, which in 1801 also formally incorporated Ireland (which had been under English rule for centuries by this point) to become the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
In recent years centralized rule of the U.K. from London has begun to give way to a somewhat more decentralized state, with devolution providing regional parliaments to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
This page includes:
- The Kings and Queens of England, the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the United Kingdom (see the respective pages of Scotland and Wales for those lands);
- The Prime Ministers of Great Britain and the United Kingdom, the heads of government who have been recognized as far back as the 1720s;
- The Leaders of the Opposition, today the leader of the largest opposition party in Parliament, and an office that was first recognized as such in the 1820s; and
- The Deputy Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, an unofficial position and occasionally-vacant position dating back to the Second World War, typically held by an individual in the governing party who can stand in for the Prime Minister when needed.
Additional pages are available for a variety of other political offices and prominent positions:
- The Cabinet of the United Kingdom, the senior ministers of the British government;
- The Great Officers of State, traditional and now largely ceremonial ministers of the Crown;
- The Parliament of the United Kingdom, covering members of the House of Commons both past and present;
See also:
Heads of state of the United Kingdom
Kingdom of England
Monarch of the Kingdom of England
Richard III
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 2 1452; d. August 22 1485.
House of York – Plantagenet
1483 – 1485
Henry VII
Date of birth/date of death: b. January 28 1457; d. April 21 1509.
House of Tudor
1485 – 1509
Elizabeth I
Date of birth/date of death: b. September 7 1533; d. March 24 1603.
House of Tudor
1558 – 1603
James I
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 19 1566; d. March 27 1625.
House of Stuart
1603 – 1625
Charles II
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 29 1630; d. February 6 1685.
House of Stuart
1660 – 1685
James II
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 14 1633; d. September 16 1701.
House of Stuart
1685 – 1688
William III
Date of birth/date of death: b. April 24 1533; d. July 10 1584.
House of Orange – Nassau
1689 – 1702
Anne
Date of birth/date of death: b. February 6 1665; d. August 1 1714.
Spouse: Prince George of Denmark and Norway, Duke of Cumberland (b. May 19 1744; d. November 17 1818)
House of Stuart
1702 – 1707
Kingdom of Great Britain
Monarch of the Kingdom of Great Britain
Anne
Date of birth/date of death: b. February 6 1665; d. August 1 1714.
Spouse: Prince George of Denmark and Norway, Duke of Cumberland (b. May 19 1744; d. November 17 1818)
House of Stuart
1707 – 1714
George I
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 28 1660; d. June 11 1727.
House of Hanover – Welf
1714 – 1727
George II
Date of birth/date of death: b. November 9 1683; d. October 25 1760.
House of Hanover – Welf
1727 – 1760
George III
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 4 1738; d. January 29 1820
Spouse: Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (b. May 19 1744; d. November 17 1818)
Children: (1) George IV, King of the United Kingdom (b. August 12 1762; d. June 26 1830); (2) Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany (b. August 16 1763; d. January 5 1827); (3) William IV, King of the United Kingdom (b. August 21 1765; d. June 20 1837); (4) Charlotte, Princess Royal, Queen consort of Württemberg (b. September 29 1766; d. October 6 1828); (5) Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (b. November 2 1767; d. January 23 1820); (6) Princess Augusta Sophia (b. November 8 1768; d. September 22 1840); (7) Princess Elizabeth, Landgravine consort of Hesse-Homburg (b. May 22 1770; d. January 10 1840); (8) Ernest Augustus, King of Hanover (b. June 5 1771; d. November 18 1851); (9) Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex (b. January 27 1773; d. April 21 1843); (10) Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge (b. February 24 1774; d. July 5 1850); (11) Princess Mary, Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh (b. April 25 1776; d. April 30 1857); (12) Princess Sophia (b. November 3 1777; d. May 27 1848); (13) Prince Octavius (b. February 23 1779; d. May 3 1783); (14) Prince Alfred (b. September 22 1780; d. August 20 1782); (15) Princess Amelia (b. August 7 1783; d. November 2 1810).
Titles of royalty: Prince of Wales (1751 – 1760); Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1760 – 1814); King of Hanover (1814 – 1820).
Titles of nobility: Duke of Edinburgh (1751 – 1760).
House of Hanover
1760 – 1800
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
George III
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 4 1738; d. January 29 1820
Spouse: Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (b. May 19 1744; d. November 17 1818)
Children: (1) George IV, King of the United Kingdom (b. August 12 1762; d. June 26 1830); (2) Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany (b. August 16 1763; d. January 5 1827); (3) William IV, King of the United Kingdom (b. August 21 1765; d. June 20 1837); (4) Charlotte, Princess Royal, Queen consort of Württemberg (b. September 29 1766; d. October 6 1828); (5) Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (b. November 2 1767; d. January 23 1820); (6) Princess Augusta Sophia (b. November 8 1768; d. September 22 1840); (7) Princess Elizabeth, Landgravine consort of Hesse-Homburg (b. May 22 1770; d. January 10 1840); (8) Ernest Augustus, King of Hanover (b. June 5 1771; d. November 18 1851); (9) Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex (b. January 27 1773; d. April 21 1843); (10) Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge (b. February 24 1774; d. July 5 1850); (11) Princess Mary, Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh (b. April 25 1776; d. April 30 1857); (12) Princess Sophia (b. November 3 1777; d. May 27 1848); (13) Prince Octavius (b. February 23 1779; d. May 3 1783); (14) Prince Alfred (b. September 22 1780; d. August 20 1782); (15) Princess Amelia (b. August 7 1783; d. November 2 1810).
Titles of royalty: Prince of Wales (1751 – 1760); Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1760 – 1814); King of Hanover (1814 – 1820).
Titles of nobility: Duke of Edinburgh (1751 – 1760).
House of Hanover
1801 – 1820
George IV
Date of birth/date of death: b. August 12 1762; d. June 26 1830.
House of Hanover – Welf
1820 – 1830
William IV
Date of birth/date of death: b. August 21 1765; d. June 20 1837.
House of Hanover – Welf
1830 – 1837
Victoria
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 24 1819; d. January 22 1901
Also known as: Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Kent (1819 – 1837) (Reference: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/life-queen-victoria-her-family)
Spouse: Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (b. August 26 1819; d. December 14 1861)
Children: (1) Victoria, Princess Royal, Empress consort of Germany, Queen consort of Prussia (b. November 21 1840; d. August 5 1901); (2) Edward VII, King of the United Kingdom, Emperor of India (b. November 9 1841; d. May 6 1910); (3) Princess Alice, Grand Duchess consort of Hesse and by Rhine (b. April 25 1843; d. December 14 1878); (4) Prince Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (b. August 6 1844; d. July 31 1900); (5) Princess Helena, Princess of Schleswig-Holstein (b. May 25 1846; d. June 9 1923); (6) Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll (b. March 18 1848; d. December 3 1939); (7) Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (b. May 1 1850; d. January 16 1942); (8) Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany (b. April 7 1853; d. March 28 1884); (9) Princess Beatrice, Princess of Battenberg (b. April 14 1857; d. October 26 1944)
Other thrones held: Empress of India (1876 – 1901)
House of Hanover
1837 – 1901
Edward VII
Date of birth/date of death: b. November 9 1841; d. May 6 1910
Spouse: Alexandra of Denmark (b. December 1844; d. November 20 1925)
Children: (1) Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale (b. January 8 1864; d. January 14 1892); (2) George V, King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, Emperor of India (b. June 3 1865; d. January 20 1936); (3) Louise, Princess Royal, Duchess of Fife (b. February 20 1867; d. January 4 1931); (4) Princess Victoria (b. July 6 1868; d. December 3 1935); (5) Princess Maud, Queen consort of Norway (b. November 26 1869; d. November 20 1938); (6) Prince Alexander John of Wales (b. April 6 1871; d. April 7 1871)
Other thrones held: Emperor of India (1901 – 1910)
Royal titles: Prince of Wales (1841 – 1901); Duke of Cornwall (1841 – 1901); Duke of Rothesay (1841 – 1901)
House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
1901 – 1910
George V
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 3 1865; d. January 20 1936
Spouse: Mary of Teck (b. May 26 1867; d. March 24 1953)
Children: (1) Edward VIII, King of the United Kingdom, Emperor of India (b. June 23 1894; d. May 28 1972); (2) George VI, King of the United Kingdom, Emperor of India (b. December 14 1895; d. February 6 1952); (3) Mary, Princess Royal (b. April 25 1897; d. March 28 1965); (4) Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (b. March 31 1900; d. June 10 1974); (5) Prince George, Duke of Kent (b. December 20 1902; d. August 25 1942); (6) Prince John (b. July 12 1905; d. January 18 1919)
Other thrones held: Emperor of India (1910 – 1936)
Royal titles: Prince of Wales (1901 – 1910); Duke of Cornwall (1901 – 1910); Duke of Rothesay (1901 – 1910)
Other prominent offices: Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports (1905 – 1907)
House of Windsor
1910 – 1927
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
George V
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 3 1865; d. January 20 1936
Spouse: Mary of Teck (b. May 26 1867; d. March 24 1953)
Children: (1) Edward VIII, King of the United Kingdom, Emperor of India (b. June 23 1894; d. May 28 1972); (2) George VI, King of the United Kingdom, Emperor of India (b. December 14 1895; d. February 6 1952); (3) Mary, Princess Royal (b. April 25 1897; d. March 28 1965); (4) Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (b. March 31 1900; d. June 10 1974); (5) Prince George, Duke of Kent (b. December 20 1902; d. August 25 1942); (6) Prince John (b. July 12 1905; d. January 18 1919)
Other thrones held: Emperor of India (1910 – 1936)
Royal titles: Prince of Wales (1901 – 1910); Duke of Cornwall (1901 – 1910); Duke of Rothesay (1901 – 1910)
Other prominent offices: Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports (1905 – 1907)
House of Windsor
1927 – 1936
Edward VIII
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 23 1894; d. May 28 1972
Spouse: Wallis Simpson (b. June 19 1896; d. April 24 1986)
Children: None
Royal titles: Prince of Wales (1910 – 1936); Duke of Cornwall (1910 – 1936); Duke of Rothesay (1910 – 1936)
House of Windsor
1936
George VI
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 14 1895; d. February 6 1952
Spouse: Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (b. August 4 1900; d. March 30 2002)
Children: (1) Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions (b. April 21 1926; d. September 8 2022); (2) Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon (b. August 21 1930; d. February 9 2002).
House of Windsor
1936 – 1952
Elizabeth II
Date of birth/date of death: b. April 21 1926; d. September 8 2022
Spouse: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (b. June 10 1921; d. April 9 2021
Children: (1) Charles III, King of the United Kingdom (b. November 14 1948); (2) Anne, Princess Royal (b. August 15 1950); (3) Prince Andrew, Duke of York (b. February 19 1960); (4) Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (b. March 10 1964)
House of Windsor
1952 – 2022
Charles III
Date of birth/date of death: b. November 14 1948.
House of Windsor
2022 – present
Heads of government of the United Kingdom
Kingdom of England
Chief Minister of the Kingdom of England
Sidney Godolphin, 1st Baron Godolphin
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 15 1645; d. September 15 1712.
Tory Party
1684 – 1685
Sidney Godolphin, 1st Baron Godolphin
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 15 1645; d. September 15 1712.
Tory Party
1690 – 1697
Sidney Godolphin, 1st Baron Godolphin
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 15 1645; d. September 15 1712.
Tory Party
1700 – 1701
Sidney Godolphin, 1st Earl of Godolphin
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 15 1645; d. September 15 1712.
Tory Party
1702 – 1707
General John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 26 1650; d. June 16 1722.
Tory Party
1702 – 1707
United Kingdom of Great Britain
Chief Minister of the Kingdom of Great Britain
Sidney Godolphin, 1st Earl of Godolphin
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 15 1645; d. September 15 1712.
Tory Party
1707 – 1710
General John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 26 1650; d. June 16 1722.
Tory Party
1707 – 1710
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Great Britain
Sir Robert Walpole
Date of birth/date of death: b. August 26 1676; d. March 18 1745.
Monarchs: George I (1721 – 1727); George II (1727 – 1742).
Titles of nobility: Baron Walpole of Houghton in the Peerage of Great Britain (1742 – 1745); Viscount Walpole in the Peerage of Great Britain (1742 – 1745); Earl of Orford (1742 – 1745).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of England (1701 – 1707); Member of the Parliament of Great Britain (1707 – 1712; 1713 – 1742); Secretary at War (1708 – 1710); Treasurer of the Navy (1710 – 1711); Paymaster of the Forces (1714 – 1715; 1720 – 1721); First Lord of the Treasury (1715 – 1717; 1721 – 1742); Chancellor of the Exchequer (1715 – 1717; 1721 – 1742); Leader of the House of Commons (1721 – 1742).
Whig Party
1721 – 1742
Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington
Date of birth/date of death: b. 1673; d. July 2 1743.
Monarch: George II.
Titles of nobility: Baron Wilmington in the Peerage of Great Britain (1728 – 1743); Earl of Wilmington in the Peerage of Great Britain (1730 – 1743).
Other prominent offices: Member of Parliament (1698 – 1710; 1713 – 1728); Speaker of the House of Commons (1715 – 1727); Paymaster of the Forces (1722 – 1730); Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal (1730); Lord President of the Council (1730 – 1742); First Lord of the Treasury (1742 – 1743).
Whig Party
1742 – 1743
Henry Pelham
Date of birth/date of death: b. September 25 1694; d. March 6 1754.
Monarch: George II.
Other prominent offices: Member of Parliament (1717 – 1754); Secretary at War (1724 – 1730); Paymaster of the Forces (1730 – 1743); First Lord of the Treasury (1743 – 1754); Chancellor of the Exchequer (1743 – 1754); Leader of the House of Commons (1743 – 1754).
Whig Party
1743 – 1754
Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1st Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne
Date of birth/date of death: b. July 21 1693; d. November 17 1768.
Monarch: George II.
Titles of nobility: Baron Pelham of Laughton in the Peerage of England (1712 – 1768); Earl of Clare in the Peerage of Great Britain (1714 – 1768); Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the Peerage of Great Britain (1715 – 1768); Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne in the Peerage of Great Britain (1756 – 1768); Baron Pelham of Stanmer in the Peerage of Great Britain (1762 – 1768).
Other prominent offices: Prime Minister of Great Britain (1757 – 1762); Secretary of State for the Southern Department (1724 – 1748); Secretary of State for the Northern Department (1748 – 1754); Leader of the House of Lords (1748 – 1756; 1757 – 1762); Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal (1765 – 1766).
Whig Party
1754 – 1756
William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 8 1720; d. October 2 1764.
Monarch: George II.
Titles of nobility: Baron Cavendish of Hardwick (by writ of acceleration) in the Peerage of England (1751 – 1764); Duke of Devonshire in the Peerage of England (1755 – 1764).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Great Britain (1741 – 1751); Lord High Treasurer of Ireland (1754 – 1764); Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1755 – 1757); Leader of the House of Lords (1756 – 1757).
Whig Party
1756 – 1757
Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1st Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne
Date of birth/date of death: b. July 21 1693; d. November 17 1768.
Monarchs: George II (1757 – 1760); George III (1760 – 1762).
Titles of nobility: Baron Pelham of Laughton in the Peerage of England (1712 – 1768); Earl of Clare in the Peerage of Great Britain (1714 – 1768); Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the Peerage of Great Britain (1715 – 1768); Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne in the Peerage of Great Britain (1756 – 1768); Baron Pelham of Stanmer in the Peerage of Great Britain (1762 – 1768).
Other prominent offices: Prime Minister of Great Britain (1754 – 1756); Secretary of State for the Southern Department (1724 – 1748); Secretary of State for the Northern Department (1748 – 1754); Leader of the House of Lords (1748 – 1756; 1757 – 1762); Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal (1765 – 1766).
Whig Party
1757 – 1762
John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute
Date of birth/date of death: b. July 21 1693; d. November 17 1768.
Monarch: George III.
Titles of nobility: Earl of Bute in the Peerage of Scotland (1723 – 1792).
Other prominent offices: Secretary of State for the Northern Department (1761 – 1762); First Lord of the Treasury (1762 – 1763).
Tory Party
1762 – 1763
George Grenville
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 14 1712; d. November 13 1770.
Monarch: George III.
Other prominent offices: Member of Parliament (1741 – 1770); Treasurer of the Navy (1756; 1756 – 1762); Leader of the House of Commons (1761 – 1762); Secretary of State for the Northern Department (1762); First Lord of the Admiralty (1762 – 1763); Chancellor of the Exchequer (1763 – 1765); Leader of the House of Commons (1763 – 1765).
Whig Party
1763 – 1765
Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 13 1730; d. July 1 1782.
Monarch: George III.
Titles of nobility: Marquess of Rockingham in the Peerage of Great Britain (1750 – 1782); Earl Malton in the Peerage of Ireland (1750 – 1782).
Other prominent offices: Prime Minister of Great Britain (1782); Leader of the House of Lords (1765 – 1766).
Whig Party
1765 – 1766
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham
Date of birth/date of death: b. November 15 1708; d. May 11 1778.
Monarch: George III.
Titles of nobility: Earl of Chatham in the Peerage of Great Britain (1766 – 1778).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Great Britain (1735 – 1766); Paymaster of the Forces (1746 – 1755); Secretary of State for the Southern Department (1756 – 1757, 1757 – 1761); Leader of the House of Commons (1756 – 1757, 1757 – 1761); Lord Privy Seal (1766 – 1768).
Whig Party
1766 – 1768
Augustus Henry FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton
Date of birth/date of death: b. September 28 1735; d. March 14 1811.
Monarch: George III.
Titles of nobility: Duke of Grafton in the Peerage of England (1757 – 1811).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Great Britain (1756 – 1757); Secretary of State for the Northern Department (1765 – 1766); First Lord of the Treasury (1766 – 1770); Leader of the House of Lords (1766 – 1770); Chancellor of the University of Cambridge (1768 – 1811); Lord Privy Seal (1771 – 1775, 1782 – 1783).
Whig Party
1768 – 1770
Frederick North, Lord North
Date of birth/date of death: b. April 13 1732; d. August 5 1792.
Monarch: George III.
Titles of nobility: Earl of Guilford in the Peerage of Great Britain (1790 – 1792).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Great Britain (1754 – 1790); Paymaster of the Forces (1766 – 1767); Chancellor of the Exchequer (1767 – 1782); Leader of the House of Commons (1767 – 1782); First Lord of the Treasury (1770 – 1782); Chancellor of the University of Oxford (1772 – 1792); Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports (1778 – 1792); Home Secretary (1783); Leader of the House of Commons (1783).
Tory Party
1770 – 1782
Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 13 1730; d. July 1 1782.
Monarch: George III.
Titles of nobility: Marquess of Rockingham in the Peerage of Great Britain (1750 – 1782); Earl Malton in the Peerage of Ireland (1750 – 1782).
Other prominent offices: Prime Minister of Great Britain (1765 – 1766); Leader of the House of Lords (1765 – 1766).
Whig Party
1782
William Petty Fitzmaurice, 2nd Earl of Shelburne
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 2 1737; d. May 7 1805.
Monarch: George III.
Titles of nobility: Earl of Shelburne in the Peerage of Ireland (1761 – 1805); Marquess of Lansdowne in the Peerage of Great Britain (1784 – 1805).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Great Britain (1760 – 1761); Member of the Parliament of Ireland (1761 – 1762); First Lord of Trade (1763); Secretary of State for the Southern Department (1766 – 1768); Home Secretary (1782); Leader of the House of Lords (1782 – 1783).
Whig Party
1782 – 1783
William Henry Cavendish Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland
Date of birth/date of death: b. April 14 1738; d. October 30 1809.
Monarch: George III.
Titles of nobility: Duke of Portland in the Peerage of Great Britain (1762 – 1809).
Other prominent offices: Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1807 – 1809); Member of the Parliament of Great Britain (1761 – 1762); Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1782); Leader of the House of Lords (1783); Chancellor of the University of Oxford (1792 – 1809); Home Secretary (1794 – 1801); Lord President of the Council (1801 – 1805).
Whig Party
1783
William Pitt the Younger
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 28 1759; d. January 23 1806.
Monarch: George III.
Other prominent offices: Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1801, 1804 – 1806); Member of the Parliament of Great Britain (1781 – 1800); Chancellor of the Exchequer (1782 – 1783, 1783 – 1801, 1804 – 1806); Leader of the House of Commons (1783 – 1801, 1804 – 1806); Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports (1792 – 1806); Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (1801 – 1806).
Tory Party
1783 – 1800
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
William Pitt the Younger
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 28 1759; d. January 23 1806.
Monarch: George III.
Other prominent offices: Prime Minister of Great Britain (1783 – 1800); Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1804 – 1806); Member of the Parliament of Great Britain (1781 – 1800); Chancellor of the Exchequer (1782 – 1783, 1783 – 1801, 1804 – 1806); Leader of the House of Commons (1783 – 1801, 1804 – 1806); Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports (1792 – 1806); Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (1801 – 1806).
Tory Party
1801
Henry Addington
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 30 1757; d. February 15 1844.
Monarch: George III.
Titles of nobility: Viscount Sidmouth in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1805 – 1844).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Great Britain (1784 – 1800); Speaker of the House of Commons (1789 – 1801); Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (1801 – 1805); First Lord of the Treasury (1801 – 1804); Chancellor of the Exchequer (1801 – 1804); Leader of the House of Commons (1801 – 1804); Lord President of the Council (1805, 1806 – 1807, 1812); Lord Privy Seal (1806); Home Secretary (1812 – 1822).
Tory Party
1801 – 1804
William Pitt the Younger
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 28 1759; d. January 23 1806.
Monarch: George III.
Other prominent offices: Prime Minister of Great Britain (1783 – 1800); Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1801); Member of the Parliament of Great Britain (1781 – 1800); Chancellor of the Exchequer (1782 – 1783, 1783 – 1801, 1804 – 1806); Leader of the House of Commons (1783 – 1801, 1804 – 1806); Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports (1792 – 1806); Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (1801 – 1806).
Tory Party
1804 – 1806
William Wyndham Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 25 1759; d. January 12 1834.
Monarch: George III.
Titles of nobility: Baron Grenville in the Peerage of Great Britain (1790 – 1834).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Great Britain (1782 – 1790); Chief Secretary for Ireland (1782 – 1783); Paymaster of the Forces (1784 – 1789); Speaker of the House of Commons (1789); Home Secretary (1789 – 1791); President of the Board of Control (1790 – 1793); Leader of the House of Lords (1790 – 1801); Foreign Secretary (1791 – 1801); Leader of the House of Lords (1806 – 1807); Chancellor of the University of Oxford (1809 – 1834).
Whig Party
1806 – 1807
William Henry Cavendish Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland
Date of birth/date of death: b. April 14 1738; d. October 30 1809.
Monarch: George III.
Titles of nobility: Duke of Portland in the Peerage of Great Britain (1762 – 1809).
Other prominent offices: Prime Minister of Great Britain (1783); Member of the Parliament of Great Britain (1761 – 1762); Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1782); Leader of the House of Lords (1783); Chancellor of the University of Oxford (1792 – 1809); Home Secretary (1794 – 1801); Lord President of the Council (1801 – 1805).
Tory Party
1807 – 1809
Spencer Perceval
Date of birth/date of death: b. November 1 1762; d. May 11 1812.
Monarch: George III.
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Great Britain (1796 – 1800); Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (1800 – 1812); Solicitor General for England and Wales (1801 – 1802); Attorney General for England and Wales (1802 – 1806); Chancellor of the Exchequer (1807 – 1812); Leader of the House of Commons (1807 – 1812); Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1807 – 1812).
Tory Party
1809 – 1812
Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 7 1770; d. December 4 1828.
Monarchs: George III (1812 – 1820); George IV (1820 – 1827).
Titles of nobility: Baron Hawkesbury in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1803 – 1828); Earl of Liverpool in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1808 – 1828).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Great Britain (1790 – 1801); Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (1801 – 1803); Foreign Secretary (1801 – 1804); Leader of the House of Lords (1803 – 1806, 1807 – 1827); Home Secretary (1804 – 1806, 1807 – 1809); Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports (1806 – 1827); Secretary of State for War and the Colonies (1809 – 1812).
Tory Party
1812 – 1827
George Canning
Date of birth/date of death: b. April 11 1770; d. August 8 1827.
Monarch: George IV.
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Great Britain (1793 – 1800); Paymaster of the Forces (1800 – 1801); Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (1801 – 1827); Treasurer of the Navy (1804 – 1806); Foreign Secretary (1807 – 1809); President of the Board of Control (1816 – 1821); Foreign Secretary (1822 – 1827); Leader of the House of Commons (1822 – 1827); Chancellor of the Exchequer (1827).
Tory Party
1827
Frederick John Robinson, 1st Viscount Goderich
Date of birth/date of death: b. November 1 1782; d. January 28 1859.
Monarch: George IV.
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (1806 – 1827); Paymaster of the Forces (1813 – 1817); President of the Board of Trade (1818 – 1823, 1841 – 1843); Treasurer of the Navy (1818 – 1823); Chancellor of the Exchequer (1823 – 1827); Secretary of State for War and the Colonies (1827, 1830 – 1833); Leader of the House of Lords (1827 – 1828); Lord Privy Seal (1833 – 1834); President of the Board of Control (1843 – 1846).
Tory Party
1827 – 1828
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 1 1769; d. September 14 1852.
Monarchs: George IV (1828 – 1830); William IV (1830).
Titles of nobility: Viscount Wellington in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1809 – 1852); Count of Vimeiro in the nobility of Portugal (1811 – 1852); Earl of Wellington in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1812 – 1852); Marquess of Wellington in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1812 – 1852); Duke of Vitória in the nobility of Portugal (1812 – 1852); Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo in the nobility of Spain (1812 – 1852); Duke of Wellington in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1814 – 1852); Prince of Waterloo in the nobility of the Netherlands (1815 – 1852).
Military ranks: Promoted to Colonel, 1796. Promoted to Brigadier-General, 1801. Promoted to Major-General, 1802. Promoted to Lieutenant-General, 1808. Promoted to General, 1811. Promoted to Field Marshal, 1813.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of Ireland, 1790 – 1797; Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1806; Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1807 – 1809; Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1807 – 1809; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1828 – 1830; Leader of the House of Lords, 1828 – 1830; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1834; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1834 – 1835; Leader of the House of Lords, 1834 – 1835; Leader of the House of Lords, 1841 – 1846.
Military posts held: Governor of Plymouth, 1819 – 1827; Commander-in-Chief of the Forces, 1827 – 1828; Commander-in-Chief of the Forces, 1842 – 1852.
Diplomatic posts held: Ambassador of the United Kingdom to France, 1814 – 1815.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Conservative Party, 1828 – 1834; Leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Lords, 1828 – 1846.
Academic offices held: Chancellor of the University of Oxford, 1834 – 1852.
Ceremonial offices held: Constable of the Tower of London, 1827 – 1852; Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, 1829 – 1852.
Tory Party
1828 – 1830
Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 13 1764; d. July 17 1845.
Monarch: William IV.
Titles of nobility: Earl Grey in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1807 – 1845).
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of Great Britain, 1786 – 1800; Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1801 – 1807; First Lord of the Admiralty, 1806; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1806 – 1807; Leader of the House of Commons, 1806 – 1807; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1830 – 1834; First Lord of the Treasury, 1830 – 1834; Leader of the House of Lords, 1830 – 1834.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Whig Party, 1830 – 1834; Leader of the Whig Party in the House of Lords, 1830 – 1834.
Whig Party
1830 – 1834
Henry William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 15 1779; d. November 24 1848.
Monarch: William IV.
Titles of nobility: Baron Melbourne in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, 1828 – 1848; Viscount Melbourne in the Peerage of Ireland, 1828 – 1848.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1806 – 1812; Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1816 – 1826; Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1827 – 1828; Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1827 – 1828; Secretary of State for the Home Department, 1830 – 1834; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1834; Leader of the House of Lords, 1834; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1835 – 1841; Leader of the House of Lords, 1835 – 1841.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Whig Party, 1834 – 1842; Leader of the Whig Party in the House of Lords, 1834 – 1842.
Whig Party
1834
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (*caretaker)
Note: This was a caretaker ministry formed following the dismissal of Lord Melbourne’s government in November 1834 by King William IV. The King asked the Duke of Wellington to form a government, but he declined, instead forming a temporary government until Sir Robert Peel could return from abroad. See e.g. the following lithograph: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/736555
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 1 1769; d. September 14 1852.
Monarch: William IV.
Titles of nobility: Viscount Wellington in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1809 – 1852); Count of Vimeiro in the nobility of Portugal (1811 – 1852); Earl of Wellington in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1812 – 1852); Marquess of Wellington in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1812 – 1852); Duke of Vitória in the nobility of Portugal (1812 – 1852); Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo in the nobility of Spain (1812 – 1852); Duke of Wellington in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1814 – 1852); Prince of Waterloo in the nobility of the Netherlands (1815 – 1852).
Military ranks: Promoted to Colonel, 1796. Promoted to Brigadier-General, 1801. Promoted to Major-General, 1802. Promoted to Lieutenant-General, 1808. Promoted to General, 1811. Promoted to Field Marshal, 1813.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of Ireland, 1790 – 1797; Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1806; Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1807 – 1809; Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1807 – 1809; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1828 – 1830; Leader of the House of Lords, 1828 – 1830; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1834; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1834 – 1835; Leader of the House of Lords, 1834 – 1835; Leader of the House of Lords, 1841 – 1846.
Military posts held: Governor of Plymouth, 1819 – 1827; Commander-in-Chief of the Forces, 1827 – 1828; Commander-in-Chief of the Forces, 1842 – 1852.
Diplomatic posts held: Ambassador of the United Kingdom to France, 1814 – 1815.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Conservative Party, 1828 – 1834; Leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Lords, 1828 – 1846.
Academic offices held: Chancellor of the University of Oxford, 1834 – 1852.
Ceremonial offices held: Constable of the Tower of London, 1827 – 1852; Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, 1829 – 1852.
Tory Party
1834
Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Baronet
Date of birth/date of death: b. February 5 1788; d. July 2 1850.
Monarch: William IV.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1809 – 1850; Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1812 – 1818; Secretary of State for the Home Department, 1822 – 1827; Leader of the House of Commons, 1828 – 1830; Secretary of State for the Home Department, 1828 – 1830; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1834 – 1835; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1834 – 1835; Leader of the House of Commons, 1834 – 1835; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1841 – 1846; Leader of the House of Commons, 1841 – 1846.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Conservative Party, 1834 – 1846; Leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Commons, 1834 – 1846.
Academic offices held: Rector of the University of Glasgow, 1836 – 1838.
Conservative Party
1834 – 1835
Henry William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 15 1779; d. November 24 1848.
Monarchs: William IV, 1835 – 1837; Victoria, 1837 – 1841.
Titles of nobility: Baron Melbourne in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, 1828 – 1848; Viscount Melbourne in the Peerage of Ireland, 1828 – 1848.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1806 – 1812; Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1816 – 1826; Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1827 – 1828; Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1827 – 1828; Secretary of State for the Home Department, 1830 – 1834; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1834; Leader of the House of Lords, 1834; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1835 – 1841; Leader of the House of Lords, 1835 – 1841.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Whig Party, 1834 – 1842; Leader of the Whig Party in the House of Lords, 1834 – 1842.
Whig Party
1835 – 1841
Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Baronet
Date of birth/date of death: b. February 5 1788; d. July 2 1850.
Monarch: Victoria.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1809 – 1850; Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1812 – 1818; Secretary of State for the Home Department, 1822 – 1827; Leader of the House of Commons, 1828 – 1830; Secretary of State for the Home Department, 1828 – 1830; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1834 – 1835; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1834 – 1835; Leader of the House of Commons, 1834 – 1835; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1841 – 1846; Leader of the House of Commons, 1841 – 1846.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Conservative Party, 1834 – 1846; Leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Commons, 1834 – 1846.
Academic offices held: Rector of the University of Glasgow, 1836 – 1838.
Conservative Party
1841 – 1846
Lord John Russell
Date of birth/date of death: b. August 18 1792; d. May 28 1878.
Monarch: Victoria.
Titles of nobility: Earl Russell in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, 1861 – 1878.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1813 – 1817; Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1818 – 1861; Paymaster of the Forces, 1830 – 1834; Leader of the House of Commons, 1834; Secretary of State for the Home Department, 1835 – 1839; Leader of the House of Commons, 1835 – 1841; Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, 1839 – 1841; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1846 – 1852; Leader of the House of Commons, 1846 – 1852; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1852 – 1853; Leader of the House of Commons, 1852 – 1855; Lord President of the Council, 1854 – 1855; Secretary of State for the Colonies, 1855; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1859 – 1865; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1865 – 1866.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Whig Party in the House of Commons, 1834 – 1855; Leader of the Whig Party, 1842 – 1855; Leader of the Liberal Party, 1865 – 1866; Leader of the Liberal Party in the House of Lords, 1865 – 1868.
Academic offices held: Rector of the University of Glasgow, 1846 – 1847; Rector of the University of Aberdeen, 1863 – 1866; President of the Royal Historical Society, 1873 – 1878.
Whig Party
1846 – 1852
Edward George Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 29 1799; d. October 23 1869
Titles of nobility: Baron Stanley of Bickerstaffe in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, 1844 – 1869; Earl of Derby in the Peerage of England, 1851 – 1869.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1822 – 1830; Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1830 – 1833; Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1831 – 1844; Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, 1833 – 1834; Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, 1841 – 1845; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1852; Leader of the House of Lords, 1852; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1858 – 1859; Leader of the House of Lords, 1858 – 1859; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1866 – 1868; Leader of the House of Lords, 1866 – 1868.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Conservative Party, 1846 – 1868; Leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Lords, 1846 – 1868.
Academic offices held: Rector of the University of Glasgow, 1834 – 1836; Chancellor of the University of Oxford, 1852 – 1869.
Conservative Party
1852
George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen
Date of birth/date of death: b. January 28 1784; d. December 14 1860.
Monarch: Victoria.
Titles of nobility: Earl of Aberdeen in the Peerage of Scotland, 1801 – 1860; Viscount Gordon in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, 1814 – 1860.
Political offices held: Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, 1828; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1828 – 1830; Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, 1834 – 1835; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1841 – 1846; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1852 – 1855; Leader of the House of Lords, 1852 – 1855.
Diplomatic posts held: Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Austrian Empire, 1813 – 1814.
Peelite Conservative
1852 – 1855
Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 20 1784; d. October 18 1865.
Monarch: Victoria.
Titles of nobility: Viscount Palmerston in the Peerage of Ireland, 1802 – 1865.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1807 – 1865; Secretary at War, 1809 – 1828; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1830 – 1834; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1835 – 1841; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1846 – 1851; Secretary of State for the Home Department, 1852 – 1855; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1855 – 1858; Leader of the House of Commons, 1855 – 1858; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1859 – 1865; Leader of the House of Commons, 1859 – 1865.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Whig Party, 1855 – 1859; Leader of the Whig Party in the House of Commons, 1855 – 1859; Leader of the Liberal Party, 1859 – 1865; Leader of the Liberal Party in the House of Commons, 1859 – 1865.
Academic offices held: Rector of the University of Glasgow, 1862 – 1865.
Ceremonial offices held: Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, 1861 – 1865.
Whig Party
1855 – 1858
Edward George Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 29 1799; d. October 23 1869.
Monarch: Victoria.
Titles of nobility: Baron Stanley of Bickerstaffe in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, 1844 – 1869; Earl of Derby in the Peerage of England, 1851 – 1869.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1822 – 1830; Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1830 – 1833; Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1831 – 1844; Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, 1833 – 1834; Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, 1841 – 1845; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1852; Leader of the House of Lords, 1852; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1858 – 1859; Leader of the House of Lords, 1858 – 1859; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1866 – 1868; Leader of the House of Lords, 1866 – 1868.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Conservative Party, 1846 – 1868; Leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Lords, 1846 – 1868.
Academic offices held: Rector of the University of Glasgow, 1834 – 1836; Chancellor of the University of Oxford, 1852 – 1869.
Conservative Party
1858 – 1859
Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 20 1784; d. October 18 1865.
Monarch: Victoria.
Titles of nobility: Viscount Palmerston in the Peerage of Ireland, 1802 – 1865.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1807 – 1865; Secretary at War, 1809 – 1828; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1830 – 1834; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1835 – 1841; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1846 – 1851; Secretary of State for the Home Department, 1852 – 1855; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1855 – 1858; Leader of the House of Commons, 1855 – 1858; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1859 – 1865; Leader of the House of Commons, 1859 – 1865.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Whig Party, 1855 – 1859; Leader of the Whig Party in the House of Commons, 1855 – 1859; Leader of the Liberal Party, 1859 – 1865; Leader of the Liberal Party in the House of Commons, 1859 – 1865.
Liberal Party
1859 – 1865
John Russell, 1st Earl Russell
Date of birth/date of death: b. August 18 1792; d. May 28 1878
Monarch: Victoria.
Titles of nobility: Earl Russell in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, 1861 – 1878.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1813 – 1817; Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1818 – 1861; Paymaster of the Forces, 1830 – 1834; Leader of the House of Commons, 1834; Secretary of State for the Home Department, 1835 – 1839; Leader of the House of Commons, 1835 – 1841; Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, 1839 – 1841; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1846 – 1852; Leader of the House of Commons, 1846 – 1852; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1852 – 1853; Leader of the House of Commons, 1852 – 1855; Lord President of the Council, 1854 – 1855; Secretary of State for the Colonies, 1855; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1859 – 1865; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1865 – 1866.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Whig Party in the House of Commons, 1834 – 1855; Leader of the Whig Party, 1842 – 1855; Leader of the Liberal Party, 1865 – 1866; Leader of the Liberal Party in the House of Lords, 1865 – 1868.
Academic offices held: Rector of the University of Glasgow, 1846 – 1847; Rector of the University of Aberdeen, 1863 – 1866; President of the Royal Historical Society, 1873 – 1878.
Liberal Party
1865 – 1866
Edward George Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 29 1799; d. October 23 1869.
Monarch: Victoria.
Titles of nobility: Baron Stanley of Bickerstaffe in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, 1844 – 1869; Earl of Derby in the Peerage of England, 1851 – 1869.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1822 – 1830; Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1830 – 1833; Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1831 – 1844; Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, 1833 – 1834; Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, 1841 – 1845; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1852; Leader of the House of Lords, 1852; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1858 – 1859; Leader of the House of Lords, 1858 – 1859; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1866 – 1868; Leader of the House of Lords, 1866 – 1868.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Conservative Party, 1846 – 1868; Leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Lords, 1846 – 1868.
Academic offices held: Rector of the University of Glasgow, 1834 – 1836; Chancellor of the University of Oxford, 1852 – 1869.
Conservative Party
1866 – 1868
Benjamin Disraeli
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 21 1804; d. April 19 1881.
Monarch: Victoria.
Titles of nobility: Earl of Beaconsfield in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, 1876 – 1881.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1837 – 1876; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1852; Leader of the House of Commons, 1852; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1858 – 1859; Leader of the House of Commons, 1858 – 1859; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1866 – 1868; Leader of the House of Commons, 1866 – 1868; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1868; Leader of the Opposition, 1868 – 1874; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1874 – 1880; Leader of the House of Commons, 1874 – 1876; Lord Privy Seal, 1876 – 1878; Leader of the House of Lords, 1876 – 1880; Leader of the Opposition, 1880 – 1881.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Commons, 1849 – 1876; Leader of the Conservative Party, 1868 – 1881; Leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Lords, 1876 – 1881.
Academic offices held: Rector of the University of Glasgow, 1871 – 1877.
Conservative Party
1868
William Ewart Gladstone
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 29 1809; d. May 19 1898.
Monarch: Victoria.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1832 – 1845; President of the Board of Trade, 1843 – 1845; Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, 1845 – 1846; Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1847 – 1895; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1852 – 1855; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1859 – 1865; Leader of the House of Commons, 1865 – 1866; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1868 – 1874; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1873 – 1874; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1880 – 1885; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1880 – 1882; Leader of the House of Commons, 1880 – 1885; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1886; Leader of the House of Commons, 1886; Lord Privy Seal, 1886; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1892 – 1894; Leader of the House of Commons, 1892 – 1894; Lord Privy Seal, 1892 – 1894.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Liberal Party, 1866 – 1875; Leader of the Liberal Party, 1880 – 1894; Leader of the Liberal Party in the House of Commons, 1865 – 1875; Leader of the Liberal Party in the House of Commons, 1880 – 1894.
Academic offices held: Rector of the University of Edinburgh, 1859 – 1865; Rector of the University of Glasgow, 1877 – 1880.
Liberal Party
1868 – 1874
Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 21 1804; d. April 19 1881.
Monarch: Victoria.
Titles of nobility: Earl of Beaconsfield in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, 1876 – 1881.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1837 – 1876; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1852; Leader of the House of Commons, 1852; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1858 – 1859; Leader of the House of Commons, 1858 – 1859; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1866 – 1868; Leader of the House of Commons, 1866 – 1868; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1868; Leader of the Opposition, 1868 – 1874; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1874 – 1880; Leader of the House of Commons, 1874 – 1876; Lord Privy Seal, 1876 – 1878; Leader of the House of Lords, 1876 – 1880; Leader of the Opposition, 1880 – 1881.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Commons, 1849 – 1876; Leader of the Conservative Party, 1868 – 1881; Leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Lords, 1876 – 1881.
Academic offices held: Rector of the University of Glasgow, 1871 – 1877.
Conservative Party
1874 – 1880
William Ewart Gladstone
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 29 1809; d. May 19 1898.
Monarch: Victoria.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1832 – 1845; President of the Board of Trade, 1843 – 1845; Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, 1845 – 1846; Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1847 – 1895; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1852 – 1855; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1859 – 1865; Leader of the House of Commons, 1865 – 1866; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1868 – 1874; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1873 – 1874; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1880 – 1885; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1880 – 1882; Leader of the House of Commons, 1880 – 1885; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1886; Leader of the House of Commons, 1886; Lord Privy Seal, 1886; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1892 – 1894; Leader of the House of Commons, 1892 – 1894; Lord Privy Seal, 1892 – 1894.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Liberal Party, 1866 – 1875; Leader of the Liberal Party, 1880 – 1894; Leader of the Liberal Party in the House of Commons, 1865 – 1875; Leader of the Liberal Party in the House of Commons, 1880 – 1894.
Academic offices held: Rector of the University of Edinburgh, 1859 – 1865; Rector of the University of Glasgow, 1877 – 1880.
Liberal Party
1880 – 1885
Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury
Date of birth/date of death: b. February 3 1830; d. August 22 1903.
Monarch: Victoria.
Titles of nobility: Marquess of Salisbury in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, 1868 – 1903.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1853 – 1868; Secretary of State for India, 1866 – 1867; Secretary of State for India, 1874 – 1878; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1878 – 1880; Leader of the Opposition, 1881 – 1885; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1885 – 1886; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1885 – 1886; Leader of the House of Lords, 1885 – 1886; Leader of the Opposition, 1886; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1886 – 1892; First Lord of the Treasury, 1886 – 1887; Leader of the House of Lords, 1886 – 1892; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1887 – 1892; Leader of the Opposition, 1892 – 1895; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1895 – 1900; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1895 – 1902; Leader of the House of Lords, 1895 – 1902; Lord Privy Seal, 1900 – 1902.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Conservative Party, 1881 – 1902; Leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Lords, 1881 – 1902.
Academic offices held: Chancellor of the University of Oxford, 1869 – 1903.
Ceremonial offices held: Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, 1895 – 1903.
Conservative Party
1885 – 1886
William Ewart Gladstone
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 29 1809; d. May 19 1898.
Monarch: Victoria.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1832 – 1845; President of the Board of Trade, 1843 – 1845; Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, 1845 – 1846; Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1847 – 1895; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1852 – 1855; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1859 – 1865; Leader of the House of Commons, 1865 – 1866; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1868 – 1874; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1873 – 1874; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1880 – 1885; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1880 – 1882; Leader of the House of Commons, 1880 – 1885; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1886; Leader of the House of Commons, 1886; Lord Privy Seal, 1886; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1892 – 1894; Leader of the House of Commons, 1892 – 1894; Lord Privy Seal, 1892 – 1894.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Liberal Party, 1866 – 1875; Leader of the Liberal Party, 1880 – 1894; Leader of the Liberal Party in the House of Commons, 1865 – 1875; Leader of the Liberal Party in the House of Commons, 1880 – 1894.
Academic offices held: Rector of the University of Edinburgh, 1859 – 1865; Rector of the University of Glasgow, 1877 – 1880.
Liberal Party
1886
Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury
Date of birth/date of death: b. February 3 1830; d. August 22 1903.
Monarch: Victoria.
Titles of nobility: Marquess of Salisbury in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, 1868 – 1903.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1853 – 1868; Secretary of State for India, 1866 – 1867; Secretary of State for India, 1874 – 1878; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1878 – 1880; Leader of the Opposition, 1881 – 1885; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1885 – 1886; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1885 – 1886; Leader of the House of Lords, 1885 – 1886; Leader of the Opposition, 1886; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1886 – 1892; First Lord of the Treasury, 1886 – 1887; Leader of the House of Lords, 1886 – 1892; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1887 – 1892; Leader of the Opposition, 1892 – 1895; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1895 – 1900; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1895 – 1902; Leader of the House of Lords, 1895 – 1902; Lord Privy Seal, 1900 – 1902.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Conservative Party, 1881 – 1902; Leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Lords, 1881 – 1902.
Academic offices held: Chancellor of the University of Oxford, 1869 – 1903.
Ceremonial offices held: Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, 1895 – 1903.
Conservative Party
1886 – 1892
William Ewart Gladstone
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 29 1809; d. May 19 1898.
Monarch: Victoria.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1832 – 1845; President of the Board of Trade, 1843 – 1845; Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, 1845 – 1846; Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1847 – 1895; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1852 – 1855; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1859 – 1865; Leader of the House of Commons, 1865 – 1866; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1868 – 1874; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1873 – 1874; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1880 – 1885; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1880 – 1882; Leader of the House of Commons, 1880 – 1885; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1886; Leader of the House of Commons, 1886; Lord Privy Seal, 1886; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1892 – 1894; Leader of the House of Commons, 1892 – 1894; Lord Privy Seal, 1892 – 1894.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Liberal Party, 1866 – 1875; Leader of the Liberal Party, 1880 – 1894; Leader of the Liberal Party in the House of Commons, 1865 – 1875; Leader of the Liberal Party in the House of Commons, 1880 – 1894.
Academic offices held: Rector of the University of Edinburgh, 1859 – 1865; Rector of the University of Glasgow, 1877 – 1880.
Liberal Party
1892 – 1894
Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 7 1847; d. May 21 1929.
Monarch: Victoria.
Titles of nobility: Earl of Rosebery in the Peerage of Scotland, 1868 – 1929; Baron Rosebery in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, 1868 – 1929; Earl of Midlothian in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, 1911 – 1929.
Political offices held: Lord Privy Seal, 1885; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1886; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1892 – 1894; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1894 – 1895; Leader of the House of Lords, 1894 – 1895; Lord President of the Council, 1894 – 1895; Leader of the Opposition, 1895 – 1896.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Liberal Party, 1894 – 1896; Leader of the Liberal Party in the House of Lords, 1894 – 1896.
Academic offices held: Rector of the University of Aberdeen, 1878 – 1881; Rector of the University of Edinburgh, 1880 – 1883; Rector of the University of Glasgow, 1899 – 1902; Chancellor of the University of London, 1902 – 1929; Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, 1908 – 1929; Rector of the University of St. Andrews, 1910 – 1913.
Liberal Party
1894 – 1895
Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury
Date of birth/date of death: b. February 3 1830; d. August 22 1903.
Monarchs: Victoria, 1895 – 1901; Edward VII, 1901 – 1902.
Titles of nobility: Marquess of Salisbury in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, 1868 – 1903.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1853 – 1868; Secretary of State for India, 1866 – 1867; Secretary of State for India, 1874 – 1878; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1878 – 1880; Leader of the Opposition, 1881 – 1885; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1885 – 1886; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1885 – 1886; Leader of the House of Lords, 1885 – 1886; Leader of the Opposition, 1886; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1886 – 1892; First Lord of the Treasury, 1886 – 1887; Leader of the House of Lords, 1886 – 1892; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1887 – 1892; Leader of the Opposition, 1892 – 1895; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1895 – 1900; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1895 – 1902; Leader of the House of Lords, 1895 – 1902; Lord Privy Seal, 1900 – 1902.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Conservative Party, 1881 – 1902; Leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Lords, 1881 – 1902.
Academic offices held: Chancellor of the University of Oxford, 1869 – 1903.
Ceremonial offices held: Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, 1895 – 1903.
Conservative Party
1895 – 1902
Arthur James Balfour
Date of birth/date of death: b. July 25 1848; d. March 19 1930.
Monarch: Edward VII.
Titles of nobility: Lord and Baron of Hailes in the Scottish feudal lordship, 1876 – 1930; Earl of Balfour in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, 1922 – 1930.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1874 – 1922; President of the Local Government Board, 1885 – 1886; Secretary for Scotland, 1886 – 1887; First Lord of the Treasury, 1891 – 1892; Leader of the House of Commons, 1891 – 1892; First Lord of the Treasury, 1895 – 1905; Lord Privy Seal, 1902 – 1903; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1902 – 1905; Leader of the Opposition, 1905 – 1911; First Lord of the Admiralty, 1915 – 1916; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1916 – 1919; Lord President of the Council, 1919 – 1922; Lord President of the Council, 1925 – 1929.
Colonial posts held: Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1887 – 1891.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Conservative Party, 1902 – 1911.
Academic offices held: Rector of the University of St. Andrews, 1886 – 1889; Rector of the University of Glasgow, 1890 – 1893; Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, 1891 – 1930; Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, 1919 – 1930.
Conservative Party
1902 – 1905
Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman
Date of birth/date of death: b. September 7 1836; d. April 22 1908.
Monarch: Edward VII.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1868 – 1908; Secretary of State for War, 1886; Secretary of State for War, 1892 – 1895; Leader of the Opposition, 1899 – 1905; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1905 – 1908; First Lord of the Treasury, 1905 – 1908; Leader of the House of Commons, 1905 – 1908.
Colonial posts held: Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1884 – 1885.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Liberal Party, 1899 – 1908; Leader of the Liberal Party in the House of Commons, 1899 – 1908; President of the Scottish Liberal Federation, 1901 – 1908.
Liberal Party
1905 – 1908
Herbert Henry Asquith
Date of birth/date of death: b. September 12 1852; d. February 15 1928
Titles of nobility: Earl of Oxford and Asquith in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1925 – 1928)
Liberal Party
1908 – 1916
David Lloyd George
Date of birth/date of death: b. January 17 1863; d. March 26 1945
Titles of nobility: Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1945)
Coalition Liberals
1916 – 1922
Andrew Bonar Law
Date of birth/date of death: b. September 16 1858; d. October 30 1923
Conservative Party
1922 – 1923
Stanley Baldwin
Date of birth/date of death: b. August 3 1867; d. December 14 1947
Titles of nobility: Earl Baldwin of Bewdley in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1937 – 1947); Viscount Corvedale in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1937 – 1947).
Conservative Party
1923 – 1924
James Ramsay MacDonald
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 12 1866; d. November 9 1937
Labour Party
1924
Stanley Baldwin
Date of birth/date of death: b. August 3 1867; d. December 14 1947
Titles of nobility: Earl Baldwin of Bewdley in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1937 – 1947); Viscount Corvedale in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1937 – 1947).
Conservative Party
1924 – 1927
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Stanley Baldwin
Date of birth/date of death: b. August 3 1867; d. December 14 1947
Titles of nobility: Earl Baldwin of Bewdley in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1937 – 1947); Viscount Corvedale in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1937 – 1947).
Conservative Party
1927 – 1929
James Ramsay MacDonald
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 12 1866; d. November 9 1937
Labour Party (1929 – 1931); National Labour Party (1931 – 1935)
1929 – 1935
Stanley Baldwin
Date of birth/date of death: b. August 3 1867; d. December 14 1947
Titles of nobility: Earl Baldwin of Bewdley in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1937 – 1947); Viscount Corvedale in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1937 – 1947).
Conservative Party
1935 – 1937
Arthur Neville Chamberlain
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 18 1869; d. November 9 1940
Conservative Party
1937 – 1940
Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill
Date of birth/date of death: b. November 30 1874; d. January 24 1965
Conservative Party
1940 – 1945
Clement Richard Attlee
Date of birth/date of death: b. January 3 1883; d. October 8 1967.
Labour Party
1945 – 1951
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill
Date of birth/date of death: b. November 30 1874; d. January 24 1965
Conservative Party
1951 – 1955
Sir Robert Anthony Eden
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 12 1897; d. January 14 1977
Titles of nobility: Earl of Avon in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1961 – 1977).
Conservative Party
1955 – 1957
Maurice Harold Macmillan
Date of birth/date of death: b. February 10 1894; d. December 29 1986
Titles of nobility: Earl of Stockton in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1984 – 1986); Viscount Macmillan of Ovenden in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1984 – 1986)
Conservative Party
1957 – 1963
Sir Alexander Frederick “Alec” Douglas-Home
Date of birth/date of death: b. July 2 1903; d. October 9 1995.
Conservative Party
1963 – 1964
James Harold Wilson
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 11 1916; d. May 23 1995.
Labour Party
1964 – 1970
Edward Richard George “Ted” Heath
Date of birth/date of death: b. July 9 1916; d. July 17 2005.
Conservative Party
1970 – 1974
James Harold Wilson
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 11 1916; d. May 23 1995.
Labour Party
1974 – 1976
Leonard James Callaghan
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 27 1912; d. March 26 2005.
Labour Party
1976 – 1979
Margaret Hilda Thatcher
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 13 1925; d. April 8 2013.
Conservative Party
1979 – 1990
John Major
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 29 1943.
Conservative Party
1990 – 1997
Anthony Charles Lynton “Tony” Blair
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 6 1953.
Labour Party
1997 – 2007
James Gordon Brown
Date of birth/date of death: b. February 20 1951.
Labour Party
2007 – 2010
David William Donald Cameron
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 9 1966.
Conservative Party
2010 – 2016
Theresa Mary May
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 1 1956.
Conservative Party
2016 – 2019
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 19 1964.
Conservative Party
2019 – 2022
Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Truss
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 4 1973.
Conservative Party
2022
Rishi Sunak
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 12 1980.
Conservative Party
2022 – 2024
Sir Keir Rodney Starmer
Date of birth/date of death: b. September 2 1962.
Labour Party
2024 – present
Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Clement Richard Attlee
Date of birth/date of death: b. January 3 1883; d. October 8 1967.
Labour Party
1942 – 1945
Sir Robert Anthony Eden
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 12 1897; d. January 14 1977
Titles of nobility: Earl of Avon in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1961 – 1977).
Conservative Party
1951 – 1955
Nicholas William Peter “Nick” Clegg
Date of birth/date of death: b. January 7 1967.
Liberal Democrats
2010 – 2015
Thérèse Anne Coffey
Date of birth/date of death: b. November 18 1971.
Conservative Party
2022
Oliver James Dowden
Date of birth/date of death: b. August 1 1978.
Conservative Party
2023 – 2024
Angela Rayner
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 28 1980.
Labour Party
2024 – present
First Secretary of State
George Alfred George-Brown
Date of birth/date of death: b. September 2 1914; d. June 2 1985.
Labour Party
1964 – 1966
William Jefferson Hague
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 26 1961.
Conservative Party
2010 – 2015
George Gideon Oliver Osborne
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 23 1971.
Conservative Party
2015 – 2016
Damian Howard Green
Date of birth/date of death: b. January 17 1956.
Conservative Party
2017
Leaders of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition
Benjamin Disraeli
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 21 1804; d. April 19 1881.
Monarch: Victoria.
Titles of nobility: Earl of Beaconsfield in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, 1876 – 1881.
Political offices held: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1837 – 1876; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1852; Leader of the House of Commons, 1852; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1858 – 1859; Leader of the House of Commons, 1858 – 1859; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1866 – 1868; Leader of the House of Commons, 1866 – 1868; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1868; Leader of the Opposition, 1868 – 1874; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1874 – 1880; Leader of the House of Commons, 1874 – 1876; Lord Privy Seal, 1876 – 1878; Leader of the House of Lords, 1876 – 1880; Leader of the Opposition, 1880 – 1881.
Political party positions held: Leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Commons, 1849 – 1876; Leader of the Conservative Party, 1868 – 1881; Leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Lords, 1876 – 1881.
Academic offices held: Rector of the University of Glasgow, 1871 – 1877.
Conservative Party
1868 – 1874
Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 21 1804; d. April 19 1881
Noble titles: Earl of Beaconsfield (1876 – 1881)
Conservative Party
1880 – 1881
Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury
Date of birth/date of death: b. February 3 1830; d. August 22 1903
Titles of nobility: Marquess of Salisbury in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1868 – 1903)
Conservative Party
1881 – 1885
Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury
Date of birth/date of death: b. February 3 1830; d. August 22 1903
Titles of nobility: Marquess of Salisbury in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1868 – 1903)
Conservative Party
1886
Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury
Date of birth/date of death: b. February 3 1830; d. August 22 1903
Titles of nobility: Marquess of Salisbury in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1868 – 1903)
Conservative Party
1892 – 1895
Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 7 1847; d. May 21 1929
Noble titles: Earl of Rosebery in the Peerage of Scotland (1868 – 1929); Baron Rosebery in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1868 – 1929); Earl of Midlothian in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1911 – 1929)
Liberal Party
1895 – 1896
Sir William George Granville Venables Vernon Harcourt
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 14 1827; d. October 1 1904.
Liberal Party
1896 – 1898
Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman
Date of birth/date of death: b. September 7 1836; d. April 22 1908.
Liberal Party
1899 – 1905
Arthur James Balfour
Date of birth/date of death: b. July 25 1848; d. March 19 1930
Titles of nobility: Earl of Balfour in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1922 – 1930)
Conservative Party
1905 – 1911
Andrew Bonar Law
Date of birth/date of death: b. September 16 1858; d. October 30 1923
Conservative Party
1911 – 1915
Sir Edward Henry Carson
Date of birth/date of death: b. February 9 1854; d. October 22 1935.
Irish Unionist Alliance
1915 – 1916
Herbert Henry Asquith
Date of birth/date of death: b. September 12 1852; d. February 15 1928
Titles of nobility: Earl of Oxford and Asquith in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1925 – 1928)
Liberal Party
1916 – 1918
Herbert Henry Asquith
Date of birth/date of death: b. September 12 1852; d. February 15 1928
Titles of nobility: Earl of Oxford and Asquith in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1925 – 1928)
Liberal Party
1920 – 1922
Herbert Henry Asquith
Date of birth/date of death: b. September 12 1852; d. February 15 1928
Titles of nobility: Earl of Oxford and Asquith in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1925 – 1928)
Liberal Party
1920 – 1922
James Ramsay MacDonald
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 12 1866; d. November 9 1937
Labour Party
1922 – 1924
Stanley Baldwin
Date of birth/date of death: b. August 3 1867; d. December 14 1947
Titles of nobility: Earl Baldwin of Bewdley in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1937 – 1947); Viscount Corvedale in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1937 – 1947).
Conservative Party
1924
James Ramsay MacDonald
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 12 1866; d. November 9 1937
Labour Party
1924 – 1929
Stanley Baldwin
Date of birth/date of death: b. August 3 1867; d. December 14 1947
Titles of nobility: Earl Baldwin of Bewdley in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1937 – 1947); Viscount Corvedale in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1937 – 1947).
Conservative Party
1929 – 1931
George Lansbury
Date of birth/date of death: b. February 22 1859; d. May 7 1940.
Labour Party
1932 – 1935
Clement Richard Attlee
Date of birth/date of death: b. January 3 1883; d. October 8 1967.
Labour Party
1935 – 1940
Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill
Date of birth/date of death: b. November 30 1874; d. January 24 1965
Conservative Party
1945 – 1951
Clement Richard Attlee
Date of birth/date of death: b. January 3 1883; d. October 8 1967.
Labour Party
1951 – 1955
George Alfred George-Brown
Date of birth/date of death: b. September 2 1914; d. June 2 1985.
Labour Party
1963
James Harold Wilson
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 11 1916; d. May 23 1995.
Labour Party
1963 – 1964
Sir Alexander Frederick “Alec” Douglas-Home
Date of birth/date of death: b. July 2 1903; d. October 9 1995.
Conservative Party
1964 – 1965
Edward Richard George “Ted” Heath
Date of birth/date of death: b. July 9 1916; d. July 17 2005.
Conservative Party
1965 – 1970
James Harold Wilson
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 11 1916; d. May 23 1995.
Labour Party
1970 – 1974
Edward Richard George “Ted” Heath
Date of birth/date of death: b. July 9 1916; d. July 17 2005.
Conservative Party
1974 – 1975
Margaret Hilda Thatcher
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 13 1925; d. April 8 2013.
Conservative Party
1975 – 1979
Leonard James Callaghan
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 27 1912; d. March 26 2005.
Labour Party
1979 – 1980
Neil Gordon Kinnock
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 28 1942.
Labour Party
1983 – 1992
Anthony Charles Lynton “Tony” Blair
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 6 1953.
Labour Party
1994 – 1997
John Major
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 29 1943.
Conservative Party
1997
William Jefferson Hague
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 26 1961.
Conservative Party
1997 – 2001
George Iain Duncan Smith
Date of birth/date of death: b. April 9 1954.
Conservative Party
2001 – 2003
Michael Howard
Date of birth/date of death: b. July 7 1941.
Conservative Party
2003 – 2005
David William Donald Cameron
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 9 1966.
Conservative Party
2005 – 2010
Edward Samuel “Ed” Miliband
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 24 1969.
Labour Party
2010 – 2015
Jeremy Bernard Corbyn
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 26 1949.
Labour Party
2015 – 2020
Sir Keir Rodney Starmer
Date of birth/date of death: b. September 2 1962.
Labour Party
2020 – 2024
Rishi Sunak
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 12 1980.
Conservative Party
2024
Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke “Kemi” Badenoch
Date of birth/date of death: b. January 2 1980.
Conservative Party
2024 – present