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Herbert Asquith facts for kids

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The Right Honourable
The Earl of Oxford and Asquith
KG PC KC
Herbert Henry Asquith.jpg
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
In office
April 5, 1908 – December 5, 1916
Preceded by Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman
Succeeded by David Lloyd George
Chancellor of the Exchequer
In office
10 December 1905 – 12 April 1908
Preceded by Austen Chamberlain
Succeeded by David Lloyd George
Personal details
Born (1852-09-12)12 September 1852
Morley, Yorkshire, England
Died 15 February 1928(1928-02-15) (aged 75)
Sutton Courtenay, Oxfordshire, England
Political party Liberal

Herbert Henry Asquith, 1st Earl of Oxford and Asquith KG PC KC (12 September 1852 – 15 February 1928) served as the Liberal Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1908 to 1916. Until 5 January 1988, he had been the longest continuously serving Prime Minister in the 20th century. He was not, however, in favour of the right of women to vote.

As Prime Minister, he led the Liberal Party to a series of domestic reforms, including social insurance and the reduction of the power of the House of Lords. He led the nation into the First World War, but a series of military and political crises led to his replacement in late 1916 by David Lloyd George. His falling out with Lloyd George played a major part in the downfall of the Liberal Party.

His ministry was significant for the Old Age Pension (1908), National Insurance Act (1911) and the Parliamentary Act (1911), which restricted the power of the House of Lords.

Asquith's descendants include: ambassador Dominic Asquith (great-grandson), actress Helena Bonham Carter (great-granddaughter) and actress Anna Chancellor (great-great-granddaughter).


Images for kids

  • H-H-Asquith-as-a-boy

    Asquith (left) with his sister Emily and elder brother William, c. 1857

  • Asquith-scholarship-announcement

    Early press mention of Asquith, 1869

  • H-H-Asquith-1876

    Asquith in 1876

  • Herbert Henry Asquith Vanity Fair 1 August 1891-cropped

    Asquith, caricatured by Spy, in Vanity Fair, 1891

  • Margot-Asquith-1890s

    Margot Asquith at about the time of her marriage

  • Campbell-bannerman-ILN-1899

    Campbell-Bannerman, Liberal leader from 1899

  • Asquith-as-Chancellor-1907

    Asquith as Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the House of Commons

  • Herbert-Henry-Asquith-1st-Earl-of-Oxford-and-Asquith

    Asquith in 1908

  • Meeting of Asquith cabinet19090001

    This 1909 Punch cartoon suggests the Liberals were delighted when the Lords forced an election. Back row: Haldane, Churchill with arms up, being hugged by his ally Lloyd George. Asquith standing at right. Bottom row: McKenna, Lord Crewe (with moustache), Augustine Birrell leaning back

  • Herbert Henry Asquith Vanity Fair 17 March 1910

    Asquith caricatured in Vanity Fair, 1910

  • 1911-New-Perrs-UK-Punch

    Punch 1911 cartoon shows Asquith and Lloyd George preparing coronets for 500 new peers

  • Passing of the Parliament Bill, 1911 - Project Gutenberg eText 19609

    Samuel Begg's depiction of the passing of the Parliament Bill in the House of Lords, 1911

  • Votes for Women lapel pin (Nancy)

    Early 20th century suffragist lapel pin

  • The Ulster Volunteer Force, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1914 Q81771

    Members of the Ulster Volunteer Force march through Belfast, 1914

  • Arthur Mees Flags of A Free Empire 1910 Cornell CUL PJM 1167 01

    The British Empire in 1910

  • Another call "More men and still more until the enemy is crushed" Lord Kitchener LCCN2003662914-cropped

    Lord Kitchener's call to arms

  • The Battle of the Somme, July-november 1916 Q4192

    Asquith visits the front during the Battle of the Somme, 1916

  • Max Aitken, Lord Beaverbrook

    "a man called Max Aitken"

  • The Independent (1849) (14595849278)

    Lord Northcliffe teeing up

  • Cluysenaar Asquith

    1919 portrait by André Cluysenaar

  • Asquith's tomb, All Saints church, Sutton Courtenay - geograph.org.uk - 362223

    Asquith's grave at Sutton Courtenay

  • Helena Bonham Carter (Berlin Film Festival 2011) 3 cropped

    Asquith's great-granddaughter, the actress Helena Bonham Carter

  • Memorial to Asquith in Westminster Abbey

    Memorial to Asquith, Westminster Abbey

  • Herbert Henry Asquith 20 Cavendish Square blue plaque

    Blue plaque, 20 Cavendish Square, London

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Herbert Henry Asquith para niños

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