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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Joseph Chamberlain
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(1836–1914) Politician who first came to prominence as a reforming mayor of *Birmingham (1873–6), where he introduced improvements in sanitation, housing and the supply of water and gas. His efforts not only transformed Birmingham but gave an example to the rest of the country. He made such a success of the family business that he was able to retire with a fortune in 1874 and devote himself to politics.
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He became Liberal MP for Birmingham in 1876, and was in *Gladstone's cabinet from 1880 as president of the Board of Trade. He split from the Liberals in 1886 on the *Unionist issue. His vision of a united and strong empire was influential when he was secretary of state for the colonies in 1895–1903, a period which included the *Boer War. His belief in mutual self-interest within the empire lay behind the major campaign of his later years, to introduce tariff advantages for the colonies. Both his sons, Austen and Neville, were prominent in politics.
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