British statesman and twice prime minister (1868, 1874–80), born in London, UK, the eldest son of an Anglicized Jew, baptized in 1817. He made his early reputation as a novelist, publishing his first novel, Vivian Grey, in 1826. He is better known for his two political novels, Coningsby (1844) and Sybil (1846), which date from his period as a Romantic Tory, critical of industrial developments. He became leader of the ‘Young England’ movement which espoused these values, and came to prominence as a critic of Peel's free trade policies, especially the repeal of the Corn Laws (1845–6). Leader in the Commons of the Conservatives, after the Peelites left the Party, he was Chancellor of the Exchequer in Derby's minority governments of 1852 and 1858–9. While chancellor in the government of 1866–8, he piloted the 1867 Reform Bill through the Commons. He became prime minister on Derby's resignation in 1868, but was defeated soon afterwards in the general election. His second administration was notable both for diplomacy and social reform, though much of the latter only consolidated legislation begun under Gladstone. During his administration, Britain became half-owner of the Suez Canal (1875), and the queen assumed the title Empress of India (1876). His skilful diplomacy at the Congress of Berlin (1878) contributed to the preservation of European peace after conflict between the Russians and the Turks in the Balkans. Defeated in 1880 by Gladstone and the Liberals, he then effectively retired.