Disraeli, Benjamin, 1804-1881

Benjamin Disraeli was a prominent British statesman and novelist who served in many positions including Prime Minister of Great Britain.

From the description of Letters, 1799-1877. (Brandeis University Library). WorldCat record id: 276297717

English Prime Minister.

From the description of Letter signed : "10 Downing Street, Whitehall, ", to Vice Admiral Erasmus Ommanney, 1877 Aug. 3. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270537555

Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) was a British Prime Minister (1868, 1874-1880) and conservative politician.

From the guide to the Benjamin Disraeli Letter, 1869-1878, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)

Benjamin Disraeli, earl of Beaconsfield, British prime minister and novelist.

From the description of Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield manuscript material : 29 items, ca. 1826-1854 (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 173806933

From the guide to the Benjamin Disraeli manuscript material : 30 items, ca. 1826-1854, (The New York Public Library. Carl H. Pforzheimer Collection of Shelley and His Circle.)

British Prime Minister and man of letters.

From the description of Autograph letter signed "D" : Grosvenor Gate [London], to Mr. H ... [illegible], 1862. Dec. 17. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 642700112

From the description of Autograph letter signed "D" : [London?], to Sarah Disraeli, [1838 July 18]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 642703774

From the description of Autograph letter signed "D" : Carlton Club [London], to Thomas Bailey, 1845 Valentine's Day [Feb. 14]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 642701051

English prime minister.

From the description of Collection of autograph letters signed (7) : London and Hughenden, to the Rev. William S. Partridge, 1851 June 9-1861 Oct. 1. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270877741

Author, statesman, and orator nonpareil, Benjamin Disraeli rose to prominence on his rhetorical genius. Powered by ambition, vision, and ego, he used his verbal gifts to achieve his goals, writing fiction to stave off debt and non-fiction to advance his political purposes. He held various jobs before finally being elected to the House of Commons, where his acute analytical mind and speaking ability made him party leader and, ultimately, Prime Minister. His fertile, versatile, and witty style has made him one of the most quotable writers in the English language.

From the description of Benjamin Disraeli papers, circa 1833-circa 1852. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 57591608

British statesman and author.

From the description of Letters of Benjamin Disraeli, 1834-1882. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 122499637

From the description of Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield, papers, 1833-1880. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79423963

Disraeli was Britain's first, and only, prime minister of Jewish descent (he was Baptized into the Church of England, July 31, 1817). He served twice as prime minister, from 27 February to 1 December 1868 and from 20 February 1874 to 21 April 1880. Disraeli is credited with establishing the modern Conservative Party by his creation of the Conservative Central Office. It was during his leadership that England gained control of both India and the Suez Canal. In 1878 Disraeli was elevated to the House of Lords as the Earl of Beaconsfield.

In addition to his political career, Disraeli had a successful career as an author. Among his publications are: "The Voyage of Captain Popanilla" (1828); "The Young Duke" (1831); "Contarini Fleming" (1832); "The Wondrous Tale of Alroy and the Rise of the Iskander" (1833); "A Year at Hartlebury" (1834) and the political pamphlet "A Vindication of the English Constitution in a Letter to a Noble and Learned Lord by Disraeli the Younger" (1835); "Coningsby" (1844); "Sybil" (1845; "Tancred" (1847); "Lord George Bentinck: A Political Biography" (1851) "Lothair" (1870); "Endymion" (1880).

Something of a dandy and wit, it is reported that William Gladstone said to Disraeli, "I predict, Sir, that you will die either by hanging or of some vile disease". Disraeli replied, "That all depends, sir, upon whether I embrace your principles or your mistress."

From the description of Benjamin Disraeli papers, 1805-1896. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 299029172