William Ewart Gladstone (29 December 1809 – 19 May 1898) was a BritishLiberal Party statesman, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and four-time Prime Minister (1868–74, 1880–85, 1886 and 1892–94). He was a champion of the Home Rule Bill which would have established self-government in Ireland.
Gladstone is also famous for his intense rivalry with the Conservative Party Leader Benjamin Disraeli, and his strained relationship with Queen Victoria for much of his career. He is still regarded as one of the greatest British prime ministers.
In October 1862, Chancellor of the Exchequer William Gladstone commented on the conflict that came to be called the Second American Revolution. Gladstone complimented ConfederatePresidentJefferson Davis on having "made a nation." The course of the war throughout 1863 and into early 1864 left many believing that Gladstone had been premature in his pronouncement.