William Gladstone
/ˌwɪljəm ˈɡlædstən/
/ˌwɪljəm ˈɡlædstəʊn/, /ˌwɪljəm ˈɡlædstən/
- (1809-98) an English liberal politician who was Prime Minister four times (1868-74, 1880-85, 1886 and 1892-4). He began as a Tory Member of Parliament but left to form the Liberal Party, becoming its leader in 1867. He and his rival Disraeli were the leading figures in British politics for over 30 years. Gladstone was responsible for many improvements to life in Britain: he made voting secret, gave the right to vote to most men (but not women), and gave all children the right to an education. He also believed that the countries in the British Empire should govern themselves and that Ireland should have home rule, but he died before these aims could be achieved.
(1809-98) 英国自由派政治家，四次担任首相（1868-74 年、1880-85 年、1886 年和 1892-4 年）。他最初是保守党议员，后来离开组建自由党，并于 1867 年成为党魁。30 多年来，他和他的竞争对手迪斯雷利一直是英国政坛的领军人物。格莱斯顿为英国生活的许多改善做出了贡献：他将投票秘密化，赋予大多数男性（但不包括女性）投票权，并赋予所有儿童接受教育的权利。他还认为大英帝国的国家应该自治，爱尔兰应该实行自治，但他在这些目标实现之前就去世了。