Herbert Samuel: A Political Life

by Bernard Wasserstein

Herbert Samuel's extraordinarily long political life coincided with the long-drawn-out sunset of Liberalism as a dominant political force in Britain. His career in the Liberal Party began in the age of Gladstone and ended in the era of Grimond. At the turn of the century Samuel played a vital role in the formulation of the New Liberalism, and later helped translate that doctrine into legislation that laid the foundations of the Welfare State. He played a central role in the history of Zionism, serving as first British High Commissioner in Palestine from 1920 to 1925. He returned to office in the National Government of 1931, and led the Liberal Party between 1931 and 1935. In later life Samuel established himself as a philosopher, a respected elder statesman, and a much admired broadcaster.

444 pages, Hardcover

First published March 19, 1992

About the author

Bernard Wasserstein is Allianz Visiting Professor of Modern Jewish History at the Ludwig Maximilians Universität, Munich. He previously held positions at the University of Chicago, the University of Glasgow, Brandeis University, Oxford University, and the University of Sheffield. He is a Corresponding Fellow of the British Academy.