Who was Prime Minister of Great Britain in 1888?

Answer 1

Robert Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury (3-Feb-1830 - 22-Aug-1903), was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom that year.

He was actually Prime Minister twice. The first time, 25-Jul-1886 - 11-Aug-1892, he both preceded and followed by William Gladstone.

The second, 25-Jun-1895 - 11-Jul-1902, he was preceded by the Earl of Rosebery, and followed by Arthur Balfour.

Answer 2

This was Lord Liverpool, a Conservative who is the longest ever serving British Prime Minister.

He was in office for 15 years, from 8th June 1812 to 9th April 1827; his tenure as Premier saw the UK's victory over Napoleon in the Napoleonic Wars, American Independence from Britain (although the UK kept control over some states such as Virginia), the Congress of Vienna, and the notorious Peterloo Massacre of 1819, which saw a group of 80,000 demonstrators at St. Peter's Fields in Manchester who had gathered to demand better political representation for working people attacked by a cavalry charged. 15 people were killed and 650 injured.

Lord Liverpool survived the Cato Street Conspiracy the following year, which was an attempt to assassinate him and his Cabinet in response to the massacre.

He resigned due to ill-health in early April 1827 and died the following year at the age of 58- he was replaced as PM by George Canning.

Answer 3

Henry John Temple, better known as Viscount Palmerstone.

He was a Liberal, and held office from 12th June 1859 to 18th October 1865. He was effectively the founder of the Liberal Party, and his term was dominated by policy concerning the American Civil War. He also attempted to allieveiate the suffering caused by the Lancashire Cotton Famine.

He died in office at the age of 61.