William Gladstone at a rally. 1898 illustration of the British statesman William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898) at a political rally in Liverpool,UK. Gladstone,who was prime minister three times and twice chancellor,instituted many reforms including,in 1870,a national education program for all children. His appreciation of science however,did not match his ability as a reformer. He failed to see the potential of Faraday's research and is believed to have said to Faraday,regarding electricity,'after all,what use is it?' |