Benjamin Disraeli
1804 – 1881 British Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Conservative prime minister who tied the party to empire, bought Britain a stake in the Suez Canal, and made Victoria Empress of India.
- Religion
- Church of England (of Jewish descent)
- Affiliations
- Conservative
Benjamin Disraeli, born to a Jewish family and baptised as a boy, rose to lead the Conservative Party and twice served as prime minister. He wrapped the party in the language of empire and monarchy, buying a controlling block of Suez Canal shares in 1875 to secure the route to India. In 1876 he passed the Royal Titles Act making Victoria Empress of India, cementing their close relationship. His second government also fought the Anglo-Zulu and Second Anglo-Afghan wars.
Connections
- associate of Lionel de Rothschild — Arranged the Suez Canal loan for Disraeli's government.
- associate of Queen Victoria — Her favoured prime minister, who made her Empress of India.
- associate of Queen Victoria — The queen who favoured him and whom he made empress.
- rival of William Ewart Gladstone — His great parliamentary rival for a generation.
In the timeline
- 1875 Britain Buys the Suez Canal Shares the prime minister who bought the shares
- 1875 Rothschild loan funds Britain's Suez Canal shares mentioned
- 1875 Britain buys controlling stake in Suez Canal mentioned
- 1876 Victoria Proclaimed Empress of India the prime minister behind the title
- 1879 Anglo-Zulu War the prime minister