Benjamin Disraeli

Benjamin Disraeli, the British statesman who became Prime Minister of England, had no formal education in a public school or a university.

His brilliance of wit and repartee was outstanding.

He was born in a Jewish family on December 21, 1804, in London. Though baptised as a Christian at the age of 13, Disraeli was proud of his Jewish roots.

When his enemies called him a Jewish scamp, he replied: “Half Christendom worships a Jewess, the other half a Jew. Which should be the superior race, the worshipped or the worshippers?”

Disraeli first gained fame in 1826 with the publication of his novel, Vivian Grey. He became a member of parliament in 1837.

Statesman


As a Conservative Party member, he was Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1852, 1858-59 and 1867. He was Prime Minister for a brief period in 1868 and again from 1874 to 1880.

During his second premiership, he got enacted social legislation for slum clearance, public health and merchant seamen’s conditions of service.

In 1876, Disraeli, a favourite of Queen Victoria, bestowed the title of Empress of India on the queen.

In 1878, he averted a war through negotiations, when Russia threatened to attack Constantinople.

Disraeli and the Tories fell from power in 1880, but by the time, Disraeli had established Britain’s position as the world’s leading Imperial Power.

Disraeli died on April 19, 1881.

Some samples of Disraeli’s wit and wisdom:

“Variety is the mother of enjoyment.”

“The secret of success is constancy to purpose.”

“A precedent embalms a principle.”


This is an extract from the book The Great Ones by V.K.Subramanian, Abhinav Publications, New Delhi