| |
More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
|
Lord Salisbury
|
|
|
(Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 1830–1903, 3rd marquess of Salisbury 1868)
Conservative politician, prime minister 1885–6, 1886–92 and 1895–1902, and the last to hold that office in the House of Lords. His first important political initiative was as foreign secretary (1878–80), when he played a major part (with *Disraeli) in securing international agreement at the congress of *Berlin (1878), defusing, albeit temporarily, the *Eastern Question. Foreign affairs remained Salisbury's main interest, and for the greater part of each of his three administrations he acted as his own foreign secretary.
|
|
|
|
|
The great issue of the time was the expansion of empire, with European nations jockeying for territory in distant regions, particularly in Africa (see *British Empire). Salisbury gave strong support to colonial entrepreneurs, such as Cecil *Rhodes. His policy was that territories should be divided up into established spheres of national influence, agreed after tough negotiations between the European powers. His most far-reaching domestic legislation was the Local Government Act of 1888, which established county councils throughout England and Wales and the London County Council for the capital.
|
|
|
|