Liberal Politics in the Age of Gladstone and Rosebery: A Study in Leadership and Policy

by D.A. Hamer

The late nineteenth century was for the Liberal party a period of constant internal disorganization, of schism and near-schism, of impotence when in office and increasingly lengthy spells of exile from power. Drawing on a wide range of private papers, Professor Hamer analyses the course and structure of Liberal politics in order to explain this state of affairs, placing special emphasis on the conduct of the 'faddists' within the party and on the varying remedies devised by the leaders, notably Gladstone, Chamberlain, Harcourt, Rosebery, and Campbell-Bannerman. He also examines the major themes such as 'the Irish obstruction' and Liberal Imperialism which were utilized for the purpose of subduing and controlling the disintegrating forces within Liberal politics.

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

David Allan Hamer was born in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1938. He was awarded a BA and MA with first class honors in history from Auckland University, and a DPhil from Oxford University in 1965. He taught at the University of Lancaster, the University of Auckland, and Victoria University of Wellington. At Victoria, Hamer served as chair of the department of history (1984–86; 1997); dean of arts (1988–91); and assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs (1991–94).