Arthur Balfour - Former Prime Minister of Britain, Birthday and Childhood
Arthur Balfour's Personal Details
Arthur Balfour was a former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | July 25, 1848 |
| Died on | March 19, 1930 |
| Nationality | British |
| Famous | Trinity College, Cambridge, Leaders, Political Leaders, Prime Ministers, Former Prime Minister of Britain |
| Siblings | Eustace Balfour, Francis Balfour |
| Known as | Arthur James Balfour, 1st Earl of Balfour |
| Universities |
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| Notable Alumnis |
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| Birth Place | Whittingehame |
| Political Ideology | Conservative |
| Religion | Church of England and Church of Scotland |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | James Maitland Balfour |
| Mother | Blanche Gascoyne Cecil |
| Sun Sign | Leo |
| Born in | Whittingehame |
| Famous as | Former Prime Minister of Britain |
| Died at Age | 81 |
Arthur Balfour's photo
Who is Arthur Balfour?
Arthur Balfour was one of the most prominent politicians of the United Kingdom, who lived in the 19th century. Entering politics wasn’t too tough a task for Balfour since the families of both his parents were into politics. Though Arthur is remembered till date as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, his most significant contribution was the emphasis on the development of Ireland. He introduced the concept of ‘Unionism’ in the nation, and also did whatever he could to uplift the lower sections of the society. He played an important role in various negotiations between the United Kingdom and other countries such as France and Russia. Arthur was also known for being a religious Christian, and Theology was one of his subjects of great interest. Arthur also published a few books based on his Theological concerns. One such work was ‘A Defence of Philosophic Doubt’. Balfour was famous amongst writers and journalists for his mannerisms, popularly known as ‘Balfourian Manner’. His sexual orientation was also a matter of great concern for many. While few of them spoke about his close relationships with women, others argued that he was gay.
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Childhood & Early Life
Arthur Balfour was born on July 25, 1848, to Lady Blanche Gascoyne-Cecil and James Maitland Balfour, in Scotland. He was the eldest son, of the eight children born to his parents. Most of his relatives were well known politicians of their time. His father was also an MP.
He received his primary education from the ‘Grange Preparatory School’ located in Hertfordshire. After graduating in 1861, Arthur moved to prestigious institutions like ‘Elton College’, the ‘University of Cambridge’, and ‘Trinity College’, where he studied for the next eight years.
During his student days, Balfour was very influenced by his professor, the great English poet, William Cory. It was Cory who inspired Arthur to pursue a political career.
Career
Balfour made news in the English political circles after being elected as the conservative Member of Parliament (MP), in 1874.
Four years after he was elected as the Member of Parliament, Balfour was chosen to become the private secretary to Lord Salisbury, his uncle. This assignment gave Balfour great political exposure.
He accompanied his uncle, Lord Salisbury, to the ‘Congress of Berlin’, to address the issue of the ‘Russo-Turkish Conflict’, which was a great political issue back then. This trip made a huge difference to Balfour’s approach towards politics.
Balfour was relieved of his duties as a private secretary, in 1880. He gained enough political visibility in 6 years, which helped him become friends with political stalwarts like Sir Henry Drummond Wolff, Lord Randolph Churchill, and John Gorst. This quartet was famously known as the ‘Fourth Party’.
The second half of the decade of 1880s proved to be very fruitful for Balfour’s career. He was appointed as the ‘President of The Local Government Board’ in 1885. A year later, he was chosen to be the Secretary of Scotland, which even provided him a place in the cabinet.
Balfour was given greater responsibilities in the next few years. One of them was the appointment as the Chief Secretary for Ireland, in 1887. Noted politician Sir Michael Hicks Beach retired from the designation of Chief Secretary, and Arthur stepped into Sir Michael’s shoes.
Balfour took a keen interest in the development of Ireland. He joined hands with well-known politician Joseph Chamberlain to support the cause. After becoming an ally of Joseph’s ‘Liberal Unionist Party’, Arthur promoted ‘Unionism’ in Ireland, as a measure to improve governance. In 1890, he helped create the ‘Congested Districts Board For Ireland’.
The very next year, Balfour was announced the ‘First Lord of The Treasury’. He had to step down from this post after his party lost the 1892 elections. Three years later, the Conservatives bounced back to power, and Arthur was re-elected as the ‘First Lord of The Treasury’.
While his uncle Lord Salisbury was unwell, Balfour took up the responsibility of managing the Foreign Office. During this period he talked to the Russian government regarding the infrastructure of north China.
1902 was a watershed year in Arthur’s political career. After Lord Salisbury stepped down as Prime Minister, Balfour succeeded him,
One of the biggest problems which the Balfour government faced was the difference in opinions between the members of the party, over trading regulations. Joseph Chamberlain, his long-time confidante stepped out of power and turned a crusader for tariff reforms.
The relationship between the Balfour government and the British Royals was also quite sour, which led to his fall from power. Balfour finally resigned from his position in 1905.
Post his tenure as the Prime Minister, Balfour continued his political career as the leader of the party. Balfour along with fellow British politician Lord Landsdowne demanded that the ‘House of Lords’ needed to keep an eye on the happenings in the ‘House of Commons’. This decision was received with a lot of criticised.
In 1915, Balfour succeeded the legendary British politician Sir Winston Churchill as the ‘First Lord of the Admiralty’.
Balfour was the representative of the British Empire at the ‘Washington Naval Conference’ held during 1921-22. In the same period he also stepped in as a temporary foreign secretary, in the absence of Lord Curzon who was ill.
His last political designation was that of ‘Lord President of the Council’, under the administration of Stanley Baldwin. He held this designation till 1929, when the rule of the Baldwin government ended.
Major Works
One of the first few tasks of Balfour during his tenure as the Prime Minister was the extension of the ‘Education Act’, as well as the introduction of the ‘Irish Land Purchase Act’.
Balfour tried to improve relations between the United Kingdom and the neighbouring countries.
Personal Life & Legacy
Balfour remained a bachelor throughout his life. Though Scottish socialite Margot Asquith wished to marry him, Balfour turned down the proposal by citing that he wished to concentrate on his political career.
It’s also believed that Balfour was close to several women such as Mary Charteris and Lady Elcho. Apparently Balfour and Elcho were really close, and the possibility of the duo being involved in a romantic relationship cannot be ruled out. However, few sources also say that Balfour was gay.
Balfour was also famous for his attitude, which was famously termed as the ‘Balfourian manner’. According to an English journalist of the time, Balfour was a self-obsessed man, and felt he was quite superior to the rest of the crowd.
Even till his last days, Balfour was a great tennis player. Balfour succumbed to circulatory troubles on 19 March 1930, at the age of 81. He was cremated near the Whittingehame Church located in the United Kingdom.
Trivia
Balfour was portrayed in a humorous manner in two novels, namely ‘Clara in Blunderland’ and ‘Lost in Blunderland’. Both these works were parodies of the classic ‘Alice in Wonderland’.
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Arthur Balfour biography timelines
- // 25th Jul 1848Arthur Balfour was born on July 25, 1848, to Lady Blanche Gascoyne-Cecil and James Maitland Balfour, in Scotland. He was the eldest son, of the eight children born to his parents. Most of his relatives were well known politicians of their time. His father was also an MP.
- // 1861He received his primary education from the ‘Grange Preparatory School’ located in Hertfordshire. After graduating in 1861, Arthur moved to prestigious institutions like ‘Elton College’, the ‘University of Cambridge’, and ‘Trinity College’, where he studied for the next eight years.
- // 1874Balfour made news in the English political circles after being elected as the conservative Member of Parliament (MP), in 1874.
- // 1880Balfour was relieved of his duties as a private secretary, in 1880. He gained enough political visibility in 6 years, which helped him become friends with political stalwarts like Sir Henry Drummond Wolff, Lord Randolph Churchill, and John Gorst. This quartet was famously known as the ‘Fourth Party’.
- // 1885The second half of the decade of 1880s proved to be very fruitful for Balfour’s career. He was appointed as the ‘President of The Local Government Board’ in 1885. A year later, he was chosen to be the Secretary of Scotland, which even provided him a place in the cabinet.
- // 1887Balfour was given greater responsibilities in the next few years. One of them was the appointment as the Chief Secretary for Ireland, in 1887. Noted politician Sir Michael Hicks Beach retired from the designation of Chief Secretary, and Arthur stepped into Sir Michael’s shoes.
- // 1890Balfour took a keen interest in the development of Ireland. He joined hands with well-known politician Joseph Chamberlain to support the cause. After becoming an ally of Joseph’s ‘Liberal Unionist Party’, Arthur promoted ‘Unionism’ in Ireland, as a measure to improve governance. In 1890, he helped create the ‘Congested Districts Board For Ireland’.
- // 1892The very next year, Balfour was announced the ‘First Lord of The Treasury’. He had to step down from this post after his party lost the 1892 elections. Three years later, the Conservatives bounced back to power, and Arthur was re-elected as the ‘First Lord of The Treasury’.
- // 19021902 was a watershed year in Arthur’s political career. After Lord Salisbury stepped down as Prime Minister, Balfour succeeded him,
- // 1905The relationship between the Balfour government and the British Royals was also quite sour, which led to his fall from power. Balfour finally resigned from his position in 1905.
- // 1915In 1915, Balfour succeeded the legendary British politician Sir Winston Churchill as the ‘First Lord of the Admiralty’.
- // 1921 To 1922Balfour was the representative of the British Empire at the ‘Washington Naval Conference’ held during 1921-22. In the same period he also stepped in as a temporary foreign secretary, in the absence of Lord Curzon who was ill.
- // 1929His last political designation was that of ‘Lord President of the Council’, under the administration of Stanley Baldwin. He held this designation till 1929, when the rule of the Baldwin government ended.
- // 19th Mar 1930Even till his last days, Balfour was a great tennis player. Balfour succumbed to circulatory troubles on 19 March 1930, at the age of 81. He was cremated near the Whittingehame Church located in the United Kingdom.
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Arthur Balfour's FAQ
What is Arthur Balfour birthday?
Arthur Balfour was born at 1848-07-25
When was Arthur Balfour died?
Arthur Balfour was died at 1930-03-19
Where was Arthur Balfour died?
Arthur Balfour was died in Woking
Which age was Arthur Balfour died?
Arthur Balfour was died at age 81
Where is Arthur Balfour's birth place?
Arthur Balfour was born in Whittingehame
What is Arthur Balfour nationalities?
Arthur Balfour's nationalities is British
Who is Arthur Balfour siblings?
Arthur Balfour's siblings is Eustace Balfour, Francis Balfour
What was Arthur Balfour universities?
Arthur Balfour studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, Trinity College, Cambridge, United Kingdom
What was Arthur Balfour notable alumnis?
Arthur Balfour's notable alumnis is Trinity College, Cambridge
What is Arthur Balfour's political ideology?
Arthur Balfour's political ideology is Conservative
What is Arthur Balfour's religion?
Arthur Balfour's religion is Church of England and Church of Scotland
Who is Arthur Balfour's father?
Arthur Balfour's father is James Maitland Balfour
Who is Arthur Balfour's mother?
Arthur Balfour's mother is Blanche Gascoyne Cecil
What is Arthur Balfour's sun sign?
Arthur Balfour is Leo
How famous is Arthur Balfour?
Arthur Balfour is famouse as Former Prime Minister of Britain