Herbert Henry Asquith

Herbert Henry Asquith, a British politician and reform-minded member of the Liberal Party, was born in Morley, England. He served as Prime Minister from 1908 to 1916 and introduced significant reforms including the People's Budget of 1909.

In November 1869, Asquith won a classical scholarship at Balliol College, Oxford, where he excelled in his studies and debate. He was influenced by the Master, Benjamin Jowett, and the Professor of Moral Philosophy, T. H. Green.

In 1870, Herbert Henry Asquith won a classical scholarship to Balliol College, Oxford, showcasing his academic excellence and paving the way for his future political career.

After graduating from Oxford in 1874 with a double first in Mods and Greats, Asquith was elected to a prize fellowship of Balliol. He then spent time coaching Viscount Lymington before pursuing a career as a barrister.

In 1876, Herbert Henry Asquith started his career as a barrister after graduating from Oxford University.

In 1877, Herbert Henry Asquith married Helen Kelsall Melland, despite his limited income from his legal practice. Helen, daughter of Frederick Melland, had a private income which helped the couple live in modest comfort in Hampstead.

As early as 1882, Asquith opposed votes for women and remained a prominent adversary throughout his time as prime minister. He believed the suffrage question should be evaluated based on its impact on the government system rather than as a matter of rights.

In 1883, Herbert Henry Asquith's legal career began to flourish when he joined R. S. Wright's chambers at the Inner Temple. This move enhanced his profile and brought him new contacts with solicitors.

In 1886, Herbert Henry Asquith was elected as the Liberal member of parliament for East Fife.

In 1889, Herbert Henry Asquith was named junior counsel to Sir Charles Russell at the Parnell Commission of Enquiry, where he played a significant role in revealing the forged letters that falsely accused Irish MP Charles Stuart Parnell.

In 1890, Sir Edward Grey rebelled against his party leaders and voted for the Conservative government's Land Purchase Bill, showcasing his interest in Irish land reform despite being a reluctant supporter of Irish Home Rule.

In September 1891, Herbert Henry Asquith was left widowed with four sons and a daughter when his first wife passed away during a family holiday, marking a personal tragedy in his life.

In 1892, Herbert Henry Asquith was appointed as the home secretary by Gladstone.

In 1893, Herbert Henry Asquith responded to a request for reinforcements during a mining strike by sending 400 Metropolitan policemen, leading to protests after civilian casualties in Featherstone.

In May 1894, Herbert Henry Asquith married Margaret (Margot) Tennant, a union that brought him a son and a daughter, and played a significant role in his personal life.

The general election of July 1895 resulted in a disastrous outcome for the Liberals, with the Conservatives led by Lord Salisbury winning a majority of 152 seats.

After 1902, Herbert Henry Asquith gained further reputation through his forensic dissection of the fallacies of Joseph Chamberlain's tariff reform, showcasing his intellectual brilliance and political acumen.

In 1903, Herbert Henry Asquith seized the opportunity to advocate for free trade during the campaign for tariff reform, delivering impactful speeches that solidified his position in Liberal politics.

In December 1905, Balfour resigned and Campbell-Bannerman successfully prevented an attempt to promote Asquith as the Leader of the party in the Commons. This event was crucial for Asquith's future political career.

In 1906, Asquith was appointed as the chancellor of the exchequer by Prime Minister Henry Campbell-Bannerman.

Herbert Henry Asquith, a reform-minded member of the Liberal Party, assumed office as the Prime Minister of Britain in 1908. He served in this position until 1916, leading the country during the early years of World War I.

Herbert Henry Asquith became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, serving for almost three years until his death in 1911. He was known for his heavy drinking habits within political circles.

By the end of March 1908, Campbell-Bannerman's health deteriorated, leading to Asquith assuming the premiership on April 6th. Despite facing challenges, Asquith formed a strong government and navigated through political turmoil.

After Campbell-Bannerman's resignation and passing, Asquith succeeded him as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on April 8, 1908.

On February 16, 1909, Asquith wrote a letter to Margot Asquith. The letter is part of the Margot Asquith MSS collection at the Bodleian Library in Oxford. The correspondence may provide personal insights into their relationship.

In November 1909, the People's Budget proposed by Lloyd George greatly expanded social welfare programs in the UK. It included increased taxes on land value, undeveloped land, income, tobacco, beer, spirits, and petrol. The budget faced opposition and bitter debate, ultimately passing in the Commons but being rejected in the Lords.

On 11 November, Herbert Henry Asquith requested King George to dissolve Parliament for another general election in December.

On 14th November, Asquith met with King George again and demanded assurances that the monarch would create an adequate number of Liberal peers to pass the Parliament Bill.

Herbert Henry Asquith, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, collapsed and died at 10 Downing Street at the age of 58. The cause of death was hypertension due to high alcohol consumption.

Lloyd George became the party leader and Prime Minister on April 8, 1911, at the age of forty-nine. He had the support of radical MPs and the majority of the Liberal Party in the House of Commons.

Edward Grey, 1st Viscount Grey of Fallodon, made significant changes to H.H. Asquith's government on April 9, 1911. The changes included David Lloyd George becoming Foreign Secretary, Sydney Buxton becoming Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Walter Runciman becoming President of the Board of Trade.

Masterman's election as Liberal MP for West Ham North in the December 1910 general election was declared void due to corrupt practices by his election agent. He was later elected in Bethnal Green South-West in a by-election on 22 June.

On 10 August 1911, the House of Lords voted narrowly not to insist on their amendments to the Parliament Bill, leading to the bill being passed into law.

Between July 24 and August 6, 1914, Asquith's leadership during the war crisis was considered the highlight of his premiership, as he convinced most of his Cabinet to intervene until Germany invaded Belgium.

Asquith led a united Liberal Party to declare war on behalf of a united nation, bringing the country into war without civil disturbance or political schism.

Venetia Stanley announced her engagement to Edwin Montagu on 12 May 1915, which deeply affected Asquith. Asquith expressed his devastation and heartbreak over the news, showcasing the personal impact of the event.

Admiral Fisher resigned on 15 May 1915 due to disagreements with Churchill and frustrations over the developments in Gallipoli. His departure further weakened Asquith's position amidst other challenges.

The collapse of the last fully Liberal administration led to the formation of the first coalition government on May 25, 1915, due to the Dardanelles Campaign and the Shell Crisis.

The entry for Herbert Henry Asquith was published in the 1914-1918-online International Encyclopedia of the First World War on June 17, 2015. It provides information about Asquith's role and significance during the war.

After serving as the Prime Minister of Britain for eight years, Herbert Henry Asquith's term came to an end in 1916. He led the country during the challenging period of World War I.

Asquith laid the Military Service Act in the House of Commons on 5 January 1916, introducing conscription of bachelors, which was later extended to married men. This move faced opposition within his own party.

Law, Carson, and Lloyd George drafted a memorandum with Aitken's help for Asquith's signature, proposing a 'Civilian General Staff' with Lloyd George as chairman and Asquith as president.

Law met with Austen Chamberlain, Lord Curzon, and Lord Robert Cecil to discuss opposition to Lloyd George's War Council plans and propose alternative ideas.

Lloyd George proposed an alternative plan to Asquith, suggesting a War Council of three with himself as chairman, but Asquith demanded to retain the chairmanship.

Lloyd George wrote to Law enclosing Asquith's response, expressing the urgency of resolute action for the country's sake.

Conservative leaders gathered at Law's house, Pembroke Lodge, to discuss the government's future amidst growing press involvement and Lloyd George's demands.

The leak of the compromise details prompted an immediate reaction from Asquith, who expressed his displeasure at being portrayed as an irresponsible spectator of the War. This led to a confrontation with Lloyd George and a rejection of the Sunday compromise.

Herbert Henry Asquith resigned as Prime Minister on December 5, 1916, due to being blamed for military, naval, and policy setbacks and being sidelined in strategic decision-making.

On December 6, 1916, Herbert Henry Asquith resigned as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, succeeded by Lloyd George, due to growing alliance between Lloyd George and leading Conservatives and accusations of ineffectiveness exploited by the press.

On 8 December 1916, Liberal Members of Parliament expressed their support for Asquith by giving him a vote of confidence as the Leader of the Liberal Party.

On 9 December 1916, Asquith and his family left 10 Downing Street. Asquith, known for his stoicism, expressed feeling betrayed and compared himself to the Biblical figure Job.

On 10 December 1916, Asquith compared himself to the Biblical character Job, showcasing his emotional turmoil after leaving 10 Downing Street.

A few days after Asquith's departure from 10 Downing Street, Lord Newton noted Asquith's declining mental health, witnessing signs of an impending nervous breakdown.

In November 1917, former Prime Minister Asquith exploited dissatisfaction within the Allied War Council debate, but failed to win a parliamentary vote over claims of misleading statements by the government regarding the conduct of the war. This event further weakened Asquith's position and exacerbated tensions within the Liberal parliamentary party.

Lloyd George proposed an immediate election with a formal endorsement for Coalition candidates, which Asquith named 'Coupon'. Asquith led the Liberal Party into the election with little enthusiasm, hoping for 100 Liberal MPs but faced a significant defeat.

Asquith and every other former Liberal Cabinet minister lost their seats in the election on 14 December 1918. The landslide victory for Lloyd George's coalition marked a personal humiliation for Asquith, ending his hope of influencing the peace settlement.

On 31 July 1919, after a lunch in honor of former Supreme Allied Commander Ferdinand Foch, Asquith expressed his views on Germany, stating that 'he talked a lot of nonsense about Germany sinking never to rise again.'

On 21 January 1920, Asquith was formally adopted as the candidate for the Paisley by-election, despite facing a divided local Association. His selection marked a significant step in his political comeback.

By the summer of 1922, Asquith's interest in politics was waning, as observed when he needed assistance climbing stairs at a party. His reputation was further tarnished by portrayals in literature and memoirs.

On 24 November 1923, Lloyd George visited Paisley to speak in support of Asquith, marking a significant moment of collaboration between the two political figures.

In November 1924, Asquith was offered a peerage by the King, which he initially hesitated to accept due to financial concerns. Eventually, he accepted the title 'Earl of Oxford' in January 1925, marking a significant transition in his political career.

Asquith decided to support a minority Labour Government, which was seconded by Lloyd George and approved by a party meeting on 18 December. This decision was met with mixed reactions and marked a significant political shift.

On 29 January 1925, Asquith launched a Million Fund Appeal at a London convention in an attempt to raise Liberal Party funds independently of Lloyd George. This initiative aimed to address the financial challenges faced by the Liberal party.

Herbert Henry Asquith stood for the Chancellorship of Oxford University in 1925 after the death of Lord Curzon. Despite being described as 'the greatest living Oxonian', he lost to the Conservative candidate, Lord Cave, by a significant margin.

After facing internal party conflicts and financial difficulties, Herbert Henry Asquith resigned from the leadership of the Liberal Party on October 15, 1926, marking the end of his political career.

In 1927, Herbert Henry Asquith suffered from a series of strokes that left him wheelchair-bound and increasingly confused. His health deteriorated significantly throughout the year.

Herbert Henry Asquith passed away on February 15, 1928, in Sutton Courtenay, Berkshire, at the age of 75. He served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1908 to 1916.

Herbert Henry Asquith's will was proved on 9 June 1928, with his estate amounting to £9345 9s. 2d. His estate was roughly equivalent to £599,011 in 2021.

In 1933, H. H. Asquith's letters to a friend were compiled and published as the first series under the title 'Letters of the Earl of Oxford and Asquith to a Friend'.

The second series of H. H. Asquith's letters to a friend was published in 1934 under the title 'Letters of the Earl of Oxford and Asquith to a Friend'.

Herbert Henry Asquith released 'Moments of Memory: Recollections and Impressions' in 1938, sharing his recollections and impressions.

Several of Asquith's personal letters, including those to Venetia Stanley, were published in 1982, shedding light on his personal life and relationships.

Herbert Henry Asquith, also known as H. H. Asquith, was a prominent political figure often referred to as 'The Last of the Romans'. This title highlights his statesmanship and leadership qualities.