Campbell-Bannerman, Sir Henry

Campbell-Bannerman, Sir Henry (b. 7 Sept. 1836, d. 22 Apr. 1908). British Prime Minister 1905–8 Born in Glasgow, and educated at the Universities of Glasgow and Cambridge. He was elected as MP for Stirling Burghs in 1868, and gained a reputation as a radical Liberal. He served as a junior minister and in 1884 the patient conciliator became Chief Secretary for Ireland. He entered Cabinet as Secretary for War in 1886 and 1892–5. Almost by default, he came to lead the Liberal Party in the House of Commons from 1899. He managed to form a cohesive parliamentary party despite bitter internal disputes, mainly through avoiding controversial policy commitments, as well as his charming, unthreatening personality. During the South African (Boer) War, he managed to overcome Liberal controversies through focusing not on the cause, but on the conduct of war. Underestimated not just by his own colleagues, but also by Balfour, he won the 1906 elections after the latter had resigned in 1905. As Prime Minister, however, he continued to avoid debates which might split the Liberal Party, most notably the issue of Irish Home Rule. As a result, his short term of office did not match that of his successor, Asquith, in its reforming zeal. He retired because of ill health, and died shortly afterwards.