Contents

  1. Title Page
  2. Dedication
  3. List of Illustrations
  4. PREFACE
  5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
  6. NOTE ON SOURCES
  7.  
  8. Part One: Early Years
  9. I BACKGROUND AND BOYHOOD 1804–24
  10. Disraeli’s birth – His erroneous account of his ancestry – Character of his grandfather and father – The Basevis – The Jews in England – Disraeli becomes a Christian – His education – Autobiographical hints in his novels – Uneasy relation with his mother – Ambitiousness – Solicitor’s clerk – John Murray – James Meredith – A continental tour – Disraeli abandons the law
  1. I BACKGROUND AND BOYHOOD 1824–6
  2. Disraeli’s financial speculations – Their disastrous outcome – His mining pamphlets – Joins with Murray in founding a daily paper – Negotiations with Lockhart at Chiefswood – Disraeli taken in by Dr Maginn – Second visit to Scotland – Failure of the paper – Disraeli’s later efforts to suppress his own part – Vivian Grey – Plumer Ward and the Austens – Mrs Austen in love with Disraeli – Colburn agrees to publish – Appearance of the novel – Its autobiographical nature – Importance of reading pre-1853 editions – Fury of the reviewers – Murray’s anger at being lampooned – His breach with the D’Israelis – Mrs D’Israeli’s letter – Harm done to Disraeli by Vivian Grey – Disraeli’s Italianate character
  3. III THE GRAND TOUR 1826–32
  4. Disraeli and the Austens visit Switzerland and Italy – Rowed on Lake Geneva by Byron’s boatman – Nervous breakdown on return to England – A blank period – Recovery – The Young Duke – Acquaintance with Bulwer Lytton – Criticism of the novel – Disraeli and Meredith go on Mediterranean tour–Gibraltar, Spain, Malta-James Clay – A debauched Wykehamist – Disraeli explores the dissipations of the East – He visits Albania, Constantinople, Jerusalem, Cairo – Friendship with Botta – Death of Meredith – Sarah  D’Israeli
  5. IV ‘I STRUGGLE FROM PRIDE’ 1832–3
  6. Disraeli returns to England – His friendship with Henry Stanley – Endeavours to rescue him from a ‘Hell’ – Disraeli’s role mis construed – Lodgings in London – Life in the beau-monde – Disraeli’s affair with Clara Bolton – Her character – Admiration of N. F. S. Grundvig for her – Frivolous moral tone of society in the ’thirties – Dandyism – Disraeli meets Lady Blessington and Count d’Orsay – Disraeli’s affected demeanour – Blackballed for the Athenaeum – Quarrel with Lockhart – Radical candidate for High Wycombe – The Gallomania – Meets Peel and makes a bad im pression – Loses at by-election in June 1832 and at general election in December – His political principles – Standing ‘on my head’ – What is he?
  1. V HENRIETTA 1833–4
  2. Matchmaking in Disraeli’s interest – Lady Z – Disraeli falls in love with Henrietta Sykes – Character and background of Sir Francis Sykes – Henrietta visits Bradenham – Her love letters – Mrs Bolton becomes mistress of Sir Francis – Scene with Henrietta – Sir Francis accepts Disraeli as his wife’s lover – Letter from Isaac – Displeasure of Henrietta’s father – Quartet at Southend – Disraeli’s literary efforts – His debts – Tiff with Austen – Cajoles Austen into a further loan – Failure of Revolutionary Epick – Sir Francis and Clara Bolton leave for the Continent – Disraeli’s talk with Melbourne – Becomes Lord Lyndhurst’s private secretary – Dubious moral and political character of Lyndhurst – His relations with Henrietta – Disraeli’s reputation damaged
  3. VI DISTRACTION AND DISAPPOINTMENT 1834–7
  4. ‘A mighty impartial personage’ – Defeated at Wycombe in general election of 1834 – Officially joins Conservatives – Defeated at Taunton by-election – Row with O’Connell – Social life – Increased intimacy with Lyndhurst – The Vindication – Letters of Runnymede – Their scurrilous nature – Writes for The Times – Reproved by Barnes – Financial difficulties – Pyne – Final breach with Austens – Henrietta and Daniel Maclise – End of Disraeli’s affair with her – Lady Blessington’s letter of consolation – Return of Sir Francis – Subsequent fate of Henrietta
  5. VII PARLIAMENT AND MARRIAGE 1837–41
  6. Publication of Henrietta Temple – Disraeli writes Venetia – Isaac pays some of his debts – Disraeli enters Parliament as MP for Maidstone – His disastrous maiden speech – He learns his lesson – Death of Wyndham Lewis – Character and means of his widow – Disraeli decides to marry her – A stormy courtship – Borrows money from her – Lovers’ quarrel – Disraeli’s remarkable letter to her – Marriage – Money troubles – Disraeli’s subterfuges – ‘A perfect wife’ – Parliamentary progress – Stands successfully for Shrewsbury in 1841 election – Victory of Peel – Disraeli asks for office – Reasons for Peel’s refusal
  7. VIII YOUNG ENGLAND 1841–5
  8. Disraeli’s bitter disappointment – Takes up with ‘Young England’ – Character of Smythe and Manners – Nature of the movement – Disraeli goes to Paris and is received by Louis-Philippe – Progress of Young England – Party discontent with Peel – Disraeli attacks Government and then asks for a job for his brother – Peel’s unfavourable reaction – Disraeli on the Irish question – Further trouble with Peel – The Manchester Athenaeum – Disraeli gathers material for Sybil in the north – Visit to Fryston – Grand party at Stowe – Open rebellion against Peel – Disraeli’s motives – ‘Save me from the candid friend’ – The valet – Maynooth
  9. IX THE TRILOGY 1844–7
  10. Disraeli’s status as a novelist – ‘Novels with a purpose’ in the ’forties – Influence of Carlyle – Purpose of the Trilogy – Tory idea of history – The ‘apostolic succession’ – The Arch-Mediocrity – Peel – Tamworth – Scenes from Coningsby and Sybil – Tancred – Disraeli on religion and race – Milnes’s criticism of the Trilogy – Nature of Disraeli’s ‘philosophy’ – Its impracticability – Value of the novels and their ideas – Comparison of the three novels – Disraeli as a political novelist – His defects – His virtues
  11. X THE FALL OF PEEL 1845–6
  12. The Irish potato blight – Peel’s dilemma and decision – Smythe’s apologetic letter to Disraeli – The Anti-League – Disraeli’s great speech on January 22‚ 1846 – Violent character and curious history of Lord George Bentinck – Alliance with Disraeli – The rebellion organized – Bentinck’s attack on the Prince Consort – The first important division – Bitter political feelings – The Irish Coercion Bill – Third Reading of Corn Law Bill – Peel’s normal inability to answer Disraeli – Disraeli’s personal statement and mendacious answer to Peel’s challenge – Death of Henrietta – Disraeli exploits Irish Coercion Bill to bring down Peel – ‘A blackguard combination’ – Fall of Peel – Alternative policies open to Conservative party 1832–46 – Disastrous effect of Disraeli and Bentinck upon its fortunes
  13.  
  14. Part Two: Front Bench
  15. XI THE LEADERSHIP 1846–9
  16. Lack of talent in the Country party – Disraeli’s great opportunity – His personal prospects – Hughenden – The Bentincks put up the money – Death of Disraeli’s parents – Fate of ‘Tita’ – The Session of 1847 – General election – Disraeli returned for Bucks – The Jewish question – Disraeli’s admirable behaviour – Bentinck resigns – Four budgets in one year – Death of Bentinck – Problem of leadership – Stanley’s doubts about Disraeli – Disraeli’s masterly letter – The Triumvirate – A spectre from the past
  17. XII THE POLITICAL SCENE 1846–68
  18. Diminution of Crown patronage – Weakness of executive – Lack of party cohesion – Indecisiveness of elections – The ‘floating vote’ in the House – Power of the great landowners – Competition for support of minority groups – Peelites‚ Radicals, Irish – Feud between Russell and Palmerston – Plight of Conservative party after 1846 – Disraeli’s political beliefs – His faith in the ‘aristocratic settlement’ – Its meaning and importance – Guarantee of liberty – Disraeli’s hatred of bureaucracy and centralization – His view of his personal place in society – His patrician outlook
  19. XIII PROTECTION 1849–51
  20. Disraeli’s anxiety to drop protection – Position and character of Stanley – His relations with Disraeli – Session of 1849 – Influence of Henry Drummond on Disraeli – ‘Equalization of taxation’ and creation of a sinking fund – Cold water from Stanley – Disraeli’s depression – Visionary nature of his proposals – Factories and mines – Disraeli’s reluctance to offend Lord Londonderry – The Don Pacifico debate – Death of Peel – The ‘Papal Aggression’ – Disraeli’s opinion of Roman Catholicism – Resignation of Russell – Stanley’s failure to form a government
  21. XIV OFFICE 1851–2
  22. Disraeli and Stanley’s son – Domestic troubles at Hughenden – James Disraeli – Dismissal of Palmerston – Publication of Lord George Bentinck – Disraeli considers resignation – Fall of Russell – Derby (Stanley) forms the ‘Who? Who?’ Ministry – Disraeli at the Exchequer–Last letter from d’Orsay – An interim budget–Question of protection – Disraeli’s election address – Trouble from Herries and Henley – Difficulties in the Admiralty – Indecisive general election – Problems of patronage – Friendship with Lord Henry Lennox – His flibbertigibbet character
  23. XV THE BUDGET OF 1852
  24. Disraeli’s problem – ‘Interests’ to be satisfied – The mid-Victorian fiscal situation – Disraeli decides to reduce malt tax, lower tea duties, and reform income tax – Confusion over income-tax schedules – House tax – Opening of Parliament – Unfortunate plagiarism by Disraeli – Debate on free trade – Venom of Sidney Herbert – Last-minute Service demands on budget – Disraeli’s budget speech – Bad manners of Whig grandees – The debate – Trouble over Public Works Loans Board – Disraeli’s desperate efforts to produce a majority – Overture to Bright – Disraeli’s winding-up speech – Gladstone’s unexpected counterblast – Fall of the Government
  25. XVI OPPOSITION AGAIN 1852–6
  26. Disraeli becomes a celebrity – Aberdeen coalition – Row with Gladstone over the Chancellor’s robe – Changes in party management – Parlous state of Conservative journalism – The Press – Differences with Derby – A dismal winter – Visit to Knowsley – An Oxford DCL – Disraeli on university reform and professors – The Crimean War – A puzzling letter – Fall of Aberdeen – Derby fails to form government – Disraeli’s indignation – Palmerston ‘ginger beer and not champagne’ – Disraeli’s interest in Cabinet reform – The Francis Villiers affair – Kindness of Disraeli to the Villiers family – Disraeli entertained by Louis Napoleon – Lennox criticizes Derby
  27. XVII REBUFF AND RECOVERY 1857–8
  28. Ralph Earle – Disraeli’s questionable use of him – Palmerston dissolves Parliament – A discouraging election – The Indian Mutiny – Disraeli protests at British atrocities – Fall of Palmerston – Derby’s second ministry – Tiresome conduct of Lord Ellenborough – Disraeli’s generous offer to Gladstone – An icy response – Eccentric behaviour of Bulwer Lytton – Disraeli on civic baronets – Disraeli’s views on patronage – Tiff with Lennox – Hamilton and Trevelyan – Disraeli brings in Northcote
  29. XVIIII A SECOND DEFEAT 1858–9
  30. The budget – Naval extravagance – A Conservative Reform Bill – ‘Lateral extension of the Franchise’ – Doubts in the Cabinet – More trouble from Lytton – Fancy franchises – Resignation of Walpole and Henley – Defeat of Government – Dissolution of Parliament – Overture to Palmerston – The Italian question and its effect on the elections – The opponents of the Government unite – A ‘turning-point’ in political history – Disraeli’s unconscious contribution to the Liberal party – A bargain cemented – Disraeli suggests to Derby that they should both make way for Stanley – Fall of the Government – An accusation of betrayal
  31. XIX PRIVATE LIFE 1850–65
  32. The scene at Hughenden – Disraeli’s mode of life – Country-house visits – A typical round – Lord Rosebery’s account of the engaging dottiness of Mrs Disraeli – Monty Corry at Raby – Stinginess of the mistress of Hughenden – Mrs Brydges Willyams – She makes Disraeli her heir – Their correspondence – Visits to Torquay – Her eccentric character – Her health – Disraeli’s finances – Disagreeable shock from the Duke of Portland – Andrew Montagu comes to the rescue
  33. XX REVIVAL 1859–66
  34. Death of Sarah Disraeli – Cabal against Disraeli led by Lord Robert Cecil – Disraeli considers retiring – Political truce – Disraeli’s views on American Civil War and foreign policy – Relations with the Queen – The Palmerston ‘escapade’ – Grillions and ‘the Club’ – A disappointing election, 1865 – Death of Palmerston – Russell and reform – Dissatisfaction with Derby and Disraeli as leaders – Gladstone introduces a Reform Bill – Disraeli and Lowe – Attacks on the Bill – Lord Dunkellin carries his amendment – Resignation of Russell – Derby and Disraeli reject Adullamite terms for ‘fusion’ – Derby’s third ministry – Corry becomes Disraeli’s private secretary – His character
  35. XXI THE SECOND REFORM BILL 1866–7
  36. Derby favours a Reform Bill – His reasons – Procrastinatory tactics – Resolutions and a Royal Commission – Naval extravagance again – Disraeli’s Little Englander attitude – Vacillation over Reform Bill – Revolt of Cranborne and Carnarvon – The ‘Ten Minute Bill’ proposed and withdrawn – Ministerial resignations – Household suffrage – Confusion in drafting – Thring replaces Baxter – Transformation of Bill – Disraeli’s hand-to-mouth tactics – James Clay and Radical support – Discomfiture of Gladstone – Break with Earle – Disraeli’s Parliamentary skill – The abolition of the Compounder – The Fancy Franchises vanish – The Redistribution Bill – The Reform Bill goes through – Fury of Lowe and Cranborne – Disraeli’s riposte – An assessment of Disraeli’s role
  37.  
  38. Part Three:  Top of the Greasy Pole
  39. XXII PRIME MINISTER 1868
  40. War in Abyssinia – Disraeli visits Scotland – An autumn session – Illness of Mrs Disraeli – Fenians – A naval scare – Disraeli becomes Prime Minister – Dismissal of Lord Chelmsford – Disraeli’s exemplary conduct towards Derby – His tact with the Queen – Disraeli and the Duke of Buckingham – The Session of 1868 – Success of the Abyssinian expedition – Disraeli’s plans for the Irish Church overtrumped by Gladstone – Salisbury’s (Cranborne’s) low opinion of Disraeli – Disraeli outmanoeuvres Gladstone – ‘The rabid rage of Mr Bright’
  41. XXIII A SETBACK 1868–74
  42. Religion and politics – Disraeli’s peculiar Christianity – The grave and the gay elements in the Victorian ruling class – Disraeli’s success with the gay and unpopularity with the grave – His ignorance of Church affairs – Dean Wellesley on Disraeli’s ecclesiastical appointments – Canon McNeile – Death of the Archbishop of Canterbury – Disraeli opposes nomination of Tait, but is outmanoeuvred by Queen Victoria – Disraeli makes Jackson Bishop of London – Mortification of Bishop Wilberforce – Dubious political value of Disraeli’s patronage – Electoral predictions – A heavy defeat – Silver lining in Lancashire and suburbia – Mrs Disraeli becomes Lady Beaconsfield – Disraeli’s resignation and quiescent opposition – Publication of Lothair – Its merits and reception – Discontent with Disraeli’s leadership – He reasserts his authority – Manchester and Crystal Palace speeches – Death of James Disraeli – Illness and death of Lady Beaconsfield – A political crisis – Disraeli refuses office – Gladstone in trouble – Lady Cardigan proposes marriage to Disraeli, who prudently declines – His romance with Lady Bradford and Lady Chesterfield begins – The political sky brightens
  43. XXIV POWER 1874–6
  44. Gladstone dissolves Parliament – Disraeli’s negative manifesto – Advantage of this approach – Reasons for Gladstone’s defeat – Improvement in Conservative machine – Work of Gorst – Some electoral statistics – Formation of the new Government – Adherence of Salisbury – Appointment of Cross – The Household – Lady Bradford – Disraeli’s style as Prime Minister – His dislike of details – The inner Cabinet – Disraeli’s flattery of the Queen – Criticisms of it considered – Lack of a Conservative programme – The ‘Bill to put down Ritualism’ – An unlucky visit to Bournemouth – The GCB offered to Carlyle – Gladstone retires – Analysis of Conservative social reform and Disraeli’s part in it – Scenes in the House – Tenant Right – The affair of the Mistleto – The Prince of Wales goes to India – Lytton made Viceroy – Trouble over Royal Titles Bill – Destruction of Lowe – Disraeli’s bad health and unsatisfactory leadership of the House in 1876 – He accepts an earldom – Prefers Northcote to Hardy as his successor – Retrospect of a great Parliamentarian
  45. XXV FOREIGN AFFAIRS 1875–6
  46. Disraeli’s interest in foreign policy and desire to reassert British power – War scare of May 1875 – Derby’s passive outlook as Foreign Secretary – Recrudescence of the Eastern question – Nature of the problem – Disraeli’s dislike of Balkan nationalism – His hostility to the Dreikaiserbund – The Suez Canal shares purchase – Disraeli’s exuberance – True nature of the transaction – The Berlin Memorandum rejected – Serbian war – Disraeli’s irritable judgements on diplomats – Elliot’s deficiencies as Ambassador – The Bulgarian atrocities – Disraeli’s reluctance to believe in them – His uncertain policy towards Turkey – Life at Hughenden
  47. XXVI DIVIDED COUNSELS 1876–7
  48. Gladstone’s pamphlet on the Bulgarian horrors – His motives – Disraeli’s reaction – His Aylesbury speech – A new acerbity in politics – Analysis of the forces behind Gladstone and Disraeli – The Queen’s indignation – Mutual hatred of the two leaders – Collapse of Serbia – Conflicting views on Disraeli’s policy – Buckle, Seton-Watson and Sumner – Question of Russian motives – Russia enforces a Turkish armistice – Salisbury represents England at Constantinople Conference – Disraeli’s Guildhall speech – Military plans – The National Convention – Failure of the Conference – Disraeli and Shuvalov – Ignatyev’s visit to England – Layard replaces Elliot – A Cabinet crisis – Outbreak of Russo-Turkish war – The Derby note – Opposition divided – Uneasiness of Salisbury and Carnarvon – Derby’s secret alliance with Shuvalov – Cabinet ‘leakages’ – Progress of the war – Widening breach between Disraeli and Derby – The Queen’s disapproval of Derby – Plevna – Disraeli’s private line to Layard – Disraeli’s secret message to the Tsar
  49. XXVII THE CONGRESS OF BERLIN 1878
  50. Disraeli refutes a charge of jobbery – He makes W. H. Smith First Lord of the Admiralty – III health and depression – Beneficial treatment by Dr Kidd – Fall of Plevna – The Queen lunches at Hughenden – She blames Lady Derby for indiscretion – Derby appeals to Salisbury against Disraeli – Jingoism – Resignation of Derby and Carnarvon – Return of Derby – An impossible situation – Armistice at Adrianople – Disraeli sends Fleet to Constantinople, calls up Reserve, and decides to bring Indian troops to Mediterranean – Final resignation of Derby – Permanent breach with Disraeli – Treaty of San Stefano – Salisbury at the Foreign Office – Confusion at St Petersburg – Fall of Ignatyev – The Anglo-Russian Conventions – The Congress of Berlin – Disraeli and Bismarck – ‘The lion of the Congress’ – Diplomacy and dinners – Disraeli refuses to speak French – His success over the Bulgarian frontier – Signing of the Treaty – A triumphal return – Disraeli snubs Gladstone – Disraeli’s Eastern policy in retrospect
  51. XXVIII AFGHANS AND ZULUS 1878–9
  52. Possibility of a dissolution – The Cabinet – Defects of the Viceroy of India – Problem of Afghanistan – Orders from London disobeyed – Second Afghan War – Foreign policy – Aftermath of Berlin – Trouble in South Africa – Carnarvon and federation – Mission of Bartle Frere – Misunderstanding with Hicks Beach – Frere forces a preventive war with Zulus – Isandhlwana – Death of Prince Imperial – Disraeli’s fury with Frere and Chelmsford – He sends out Wolseley – Difference with the Queen – Disraeli refuses to  receive Chelmsford at Hughenden – Massacre of Kabul – Third Afghan War – An overture from Bismarck – His opinion of Disraeli
  53. XXIX SOCIETY AND PATRONAGE 1868–80
  54. Disraeli’s improved health – Social life – Lord Rosebery’s wedding – Disraeli’s outlook on patronage – Places in the Civil Service – Rewards to friends – Ecclesiastical promotions – Views of the Queen – Disraeli less lavish with peerages than Gladstone – A typical programme – Difficulty of making a ‘Scotch baronet’ – Problem of Lord Beauchamp – The Garter and the Thistle – The Lord Lieutenancy of Ireland – Disraeli’s part in the Aylesford affair – Trouble with the Duke of Edinburgh – A princely visit to Hughenden
  55. XXX THE FALL OF ‘BEACONSFIELDISM’ 1879–80
  56. Industrial unemployment – Agricultural depression – Disraeli refuses to revive protection – The first Midlothian Campaign – Failure to make an effective reply – Government prepares for 1880 session – The Southwark by-election – Cabinet decides for dissolution – Poor condition of party machine – Disraeli repays a debt of gratitude to the Bentincks – Disraeli’s unconvincing election manifesto – The second Midlothian Campaign – Liberal orators outgun the Conservatives – Disraeli drinks claret at Hatfield – A disastrous election – Disraeli’s stoical demeanour – Last rewards to friends – Corry becomes Lord Rowton – Disraeli advises the Queen on how to deal with Gladstone – His reflections on defeat – A Conservative meeting – ‘They must not be snuffed out’
  57. XXXI ENDYMION; FALCONET 1880
  58. A quiet summer – Letters to the Queen – Disraeli as a royal matchmaker – His gloomy view of politics – The Game Bill – Resists Compensation for Disturbance Bill – Disraeli’s tactful handling of the Fourth Party – He sums up the political situation for the Queen – – Completion of Endymion – Longman’s large offer – Publication and reception of the book – Its qualities and defects – A portrait gallery of the past – Disraeli’s harsh picture of Thackeray – A critique from Milnes – Disraeli commences a satirical novel on Gladstone – Falconet left unfinished
  59. XXXII THE END 1880–1
  60. A mild autumn – Disraeli acquires 19 Curzon Street – Corry goes abroad – Replaced by Lord Barrington – Change in the weather affects Disraeli’s health – The Epiphany session – His last visit to the Queen – First and last dinner party at Curzon Street – He catches bronchitis – Progress of his illness – Return of Corry – Disraeli’s death – A touching letter from the Queen – Gladstone offers a public funeral, but Disraeli’s will obliges executors to refuse – Funeral at Hughenden – The Queen’s ‘last look’ – Gladstone’s moral dilemma and physical discomfort – His magnanimous speech in praise of Disraeli – Disraeli’s finances – His estate goes to his nephew – Corry his true heir
  61.  
  62. Epilogue
  63.  
  64. Disraeli’s place in history still disputed – An adventurer in his early years – Reasons for his long period in opposition – Logic of the Conservative situation – Difficulty of pursuing Peelism after repudiating Peel – Opportunity created by Gladstone – Disraeli’s personal stamp on Conservative image – Empire and England’s grandeur – Disraeli and Gladstone polarize politics – Myths created by mutual hatred of their supporters – Disraeli’s innate conservatism – A middle-class exponent of aristocracy – His personal rise – His bad press from administrators and academics – His good press from politicians – A great actor manager – His skill as a political artist – An un Victorian Victorian – His wit and sparkle – His lack of humbug – ‘Never a grave statesman’
  65.  
  66. Appendices
  67.  
  68. APPENDIX I Disraeli’s letter to Mary Anne
  69. APPENDIX II Writings of Benjamin Disraeli
  70. SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
  71. INDEX
  72. Plates
  73. About the Author
  74. Copyright