Stanley Baldwin, 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, KG PC FRS, was a British Conservative Politician and three-time Prime Minister. He played a significant role in British politics during the interwar period, navigating through challenges such as the General Strike of 1926 and the abdication crisis of 1936. Coming from a family of wealthy industrialists, Baldwin helped build one of Britain’s largest iron and steel firms. Despite lacking political cunning, he won over the British public with his values of probity, charity, and conciliation. Baldwin is remembered as an avuncular figure and a symbol of British middle-class moderation in a turbulent European world. While not considered a great thinker, he demonstrated decisive action, such as the passing of the 1936 Public Order Act.
Quick Facts
- British Celebrities Born In August Died At Age: 80
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Countess Baldwin of Bewdley, Lucy Baldwin
- Father: Alfred Baldwin
- Children: 2nd Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, 3rd Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, Arthur Baldwin, Oliver Baldwin
- Prime Ministers
- Political Leaders
- Political ideology: Political party – Conservative
- Died on: December 14, 1947
- Place of death: Stourport-on-Severn
- Education: Trinity College, Cambridge, Harrow School, Mason Science College
Childhood & Early Life
Stanley Baldwin was born on August 3, 1867 in Worcestershire, England, to Alfred Baldwin and Louisa Baldwin. His family owned an iron and steel making business. He received his schooling from St. Michael’s and the Harrow School and then went on to study history at Trinity College, University of Cambridge. However, he never spoke up in the college’s debate team and returned home with a third-class degree. He then began helping in the family business and attended Mason College (now University of Birmingham) for a while. In his teens, he served as a Second Lieutenant at Malvern’s Artillery Volunteers and in 1897, he became Worcestershire County’s Justice of the Peace.
Career
In 1908, Stanley Baldwin was elected as the Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Bewdley, a post previously held by his father. He became the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the party leader Andrew Bonar Law during the First World War and in 1917, he was named the Financial Secretary to the Treasury. In this position, he worked to arrange funds for repaying UK’s war debt. In the 1920 Birthday Honors, he was elevated to the Privy Council and a year later, he was promoted to the Cabinet as President of the Board of Trade. He later became the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The Conservative Party won the 1922 general elections and Andrew Law became the Prime Minister, but within a year, Law retired due to terminal cancer. The choice to succeed Law fell upon King George V, who chose Stanley Baldwin as the new Prime Minister. Baldwin became the Prime Minister for the first time in 1923, but failed to retain a majority in the general election. Ramsay Macdonald’s first labor government came to power. Baldwin supported MacDonald’s government on a couple of issues, but decided to vote against them over the Russian treaties. In the 1924 general elections, the Conservatives won with a huge majority and Baldwin became the Prime Minister again.
During his term, Baldwin created a committee to find a solution to the nation-wide problem of electricity. The committee provided the remedy of creating the Central Electricity Board, which successfully increased the output and number of consumers and decreased the generating costs. He also introduced the Widows, Orphans and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act of 1925, which provided pensions for widows and insured workers.
Under his tenure, the government endured the General Strike of 1926 and passed the Trade Disputes Act, which made general strikes illegal. In 1931, Baldwin returned to the government as a member of Ramsey’s National Coalition and in 1935, he became the Prime Minister again when Ramsey resigned. He managed the abdication crisis of King Edward VIII in 1936 and regained his popularity. Baldwin announced his retirement after the coronation of King George VI.
Major Works
Stanley Baldwin’s political career had several highlights. He was credited for sustaining the government peacefully and successfully through the turbulent times of the 1926 General Strike and for passing the 1927 Trades Disputes Act to restrict the interference of the power unions. His management of the abdication crisis of King Edward VIII was highly praised and raised his status amongst the citizens.
Personal Life & Legacy
Stanley Baldwin married Lucy Ridsdale on September 12, 1892 and together they had six children. He passed away in his sleep at Astley Hall in Worcestershire on December 14, 1947 and was cremated at the Golders Green Crematorium.