The Right Honourable  Herbert Henry Asquith  Earl of Oxford and Asquith, KG
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
In office April 5, 1908 – December 5, 1916
Monarch	Edward VII George V
Preceded by	Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman
Succeeded by	David Lloyd George
Chancellor of the Exchequer
In office December 10, 1905 – April 12, 1908
Monarch	Edward VII
Preceded by	Austen Chamberlain
Succeeded by	David Lloyd George
Born	September 12, 1852(1852-09-12) Morley, Leeds, Yorkshire, England
Died	February 15, 1928 (aged 75) Sutton Courtenay, Oxfordshire, England
Political party	Liberal
Spouse	Helen Melland (desc. The Right Honourable (abbreviated as The Rt Hon) is an Honorific prefix that is traditionally applied to certain Earl of Oxford and Asquith is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The Most Noble Order of the Garter is an Order of chivalry, or Knighthood, originating in Medieval England, and presently bestowed on recipients The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the political leader of the United Kingdom Events 456 - St Patrick returns to Ireland as a missionary bishop Year 1908 ( MCMVIII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Events 63 BC - Cicero reads the last of his Catiline Orations. Year 1916 ( MCMXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, GCB (7 September 1836 &ndash 22 April 1908 was a British Liberal Statesman who served as Prime Minister David Lloyd George 1st Earl Lloyd George of Dwyfor OM, PC (17 January 1863 &ndash 26 March 1945 was a British Statesman and the only The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all Economic and Financial Events 1041 - Empress Zoe of Byzantium elevates her adoptive son to the throne of the Eastern Roman Empire as Michael V Year 1905 ( MCMV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Events 467 - Anthemius is elevated to Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 1908 ( MCMVIII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Sir Joseph Austen Chamberlain KG ( 16 October 1863 &ndash 17 March 1937) was a British Statesman, David Lloyd George 1st Earl Lloyd George of Dwyfor OM, PC (17 January 1863 &ndash 26 March 1945 was a British Statesman and the only Events 1213 - Albigensian Crusade: Simon de Montfort 5th Earl of Leicester, defeats Peter II of Aragon at the Year 1852 ( MDCCCLII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Morley is a Market town suburb and Civil parish in the City of Leeds Metropolitan borough, West Yorkshire, England Leeds ( is located on the River Aire in West Yorkshire, England Yorkshire is a historic county of Northern England and the largest in Great Britain. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Events 590 - Khosrau II is crowned as king of Persia 1637 - Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor Year 1928 ( MCMXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Sutton Courtenay is a Village and Civil parish, between Didcot and Abingdon, currently in the English county of Oxfordshire History See also History of Oxfordshire The county of Oxfordshire was formed in the early years of the 10th century and is broadly situated in the England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland The Liberal Party was one of the two major British political parties from the early 19th century until the rise of the Labour Party in the 1920s and a third party ) Margot Tennant
Alma mater	Balliol College, Oxford, England
Profession	Lawyer
Religion	Congregationalist

H. Margot Asquith Countess of Oxford & Asquith, born Emma Alice Margaret Tennant ( February 2, 1864 &ndash July 28, 1945) was an Alma mater is Latin for "nourishing mother" It was used in Ancient Rome as a title for the mother Goddess, and in Medieval Balliol College (ˈbeɪlɪəl founded in 1263 is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law as an attorney, Counsel or Solicitor; a person Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently H. Asquith by Spy

Herbert Henry Asquith, 1st Earl of Oxford and Asquith, KG, PC (12 September 1852 – 15 February 1928) served as the Liberal Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1908 to 1916. Sir Leslie Matthew Ward ( 21 November 1851 &ndash 15 May 1922) was a British Portrait Artist and Caricaturist The Most Noble Order of the Garter is an Order of chivalry, or Knighthood, originating in Medieval England, and presently bestowed on recipients Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council is a body of advisors to the British Sovereign. Events 1213 - Albigensian Crusade: Simon de Montfort 5th Earl of Leicester, defeats Peter II of Aragon at the Year 1852 ( MDCCCLII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Events 590 - Khosrau II is crowned as king of Persia 1637 - Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor Year 1928 ( MCMXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Liberal Party was one of the two major British political parties from the early 19th century until the rise of the Labour Party in the 1920s and a third party The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the political leader of the United Kingdom Year 1908 ( MCMVIII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Year 1916 ( MCMXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year His premiership is notable for major social changes, for example the National Insurance and pensions. National Insurance (NI is a system of taxes and related Social security benefits in the United Kingdom. He was the Prime Minister during the first two years of World War I before he was replaced by David Lloyd George in 1916. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All David Lloyd George 1st Earl Lloyd George of Dwyfor OM, PC (17 January 1863 &ndash 26 March 1945 was a British Statesman and the only

Before his term as Prime Minister he served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1905 to 1908 and as Home Secretary from 1892 to 1895. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all Economic and Financial Year 1905 ( MCMV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Year 1908 ( MCMVIII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year The Secretary of State for the Home Department, commonly known as the Home Secretary, is the minister in charge of the United Kingdom Home Office Year 1892 ( MDCCCXCII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Year 1895 ( MDCCCXCV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year

During his lifetime he was known as H. H. Asquith before his accession to the peerage and as Lord Oxford afterwards.

Biography

He was born in Morley, West Yorkshire, England to Joseph Dixon Asquith (February 10, 1825-March 29, 1860) and his wife Emily Willans (May 4, 1828-December 12, 1888). Morley is a Market town suburb and Civil parish in the City of Leeds Metropolitan borough, West Yorkshire, England England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Events 1355 - The St Scholastica's Day riot breaks out in Oxford, England, leaving 63 scholars and perhaps 30 locals dead Year 1825 ( MDCCCXXV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King Year 1860 ( MDCCLX) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year starting Events 1256 - The Augustinian monastic order is constituted at the Lecceto Monastery when Pope Alexander IV The year 1828 ( MDCCCXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap Events 627 - Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II 's Persian Year 1888 ( MDCCCLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The Asquiths were a middle class family and members of the Congregational church. The middle class, in colloquial usage consists of those who have some economic independence but not a great deal of social Influence or power. Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently Joseph was a wool merchant and came to own his own wool mill. A factory (previously manufactory) or manufacturing plant is an industrial Building where workers manufacture goods

Herbert was seven years old when his father died. Emily and her children moved to the house of her father William Willans, a wool-stapler of Huddersfield. A wool-stapler is a dealer in Wool. The wool-stapler buys wool from the producer sorts and grades it and sells it on to manufacturers Huddersfield ( is a large Market town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England, 190 miles (306km north Herbert received schooling there and was later sent to a Moravian Church boarding school at Fulneck, near Leeds. This page is about the Moravian Church globally For information about the church in a particular geographic area use the links at Organisation below A boarding school is a School where some or all pupils not only study but also live during term time with their fellow students and possibly teachers Fulneck school is a small private Boarding school situated in the Fulneck Moravian Settlement in Pudsey, near Leeds, West Yorkshire Leeds ( is located on the River Aire in West Yorkshire, England

In 1863, Herbert was sent to live with an uncle in London, where he entered the City of London School. Year 1863 ( MDCCCLXIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. The City of London School ( CLS) is a boys' Independent school on the banks of the River Thames in the City of London. He was educated there until 1870 and was mentored there by its headmaster Edwin Abbott Abbott. Year 1870 ( MDCCCLXX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Edwin Abbott Abbott ( December 20, 1838 &ndash October 12, 1926) English Schoolmaster and theologian,

In 1870, Asquith won a classical scholarship to Balliol College, Oxford. "Classical literature" redirects here For literature in Classical languages outside the Graeco-Roman sphere see Ancient literature. Balliol College (ˈbeɪlɪəl founded in 1263 is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. In 1874, Asquith was awarded the Craven scholarship and became president of the Oxford Union. Year 1874 ( MDCCCLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Status and membership The Oxford Union is an Unincorporated association, holding its property in trust in favour of its objectives and members and governed He graduated that year and soon was elected a fellow at Balliol. A fellow in the broadest sense is someone who is an equal or a comrade Meanwhile he entered Lincoln's Inn as a student barrister and for a year served a pupillage under Charles Bowen. The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn is one of four Inns of Court in London to which Barristers of England and Wales belong and where A barrister is a Lawyer found in many Common law Jurisdictions that employ a split profession (as opposed to a Fused profession) in relation A pupillage, in England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland, is the Barrister 's equivalent of the Training contract Charles Synge Christopher Bowen Baron Bowen ( January 1, 1835 &ndash April 10, 1894) was an English Judge.

He was called to the bar in 1876 and became prosperous in the early 1880s from practising law. Year 1876 ( MDCCCLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Events and Trends Technology Development and commercial production of Electric lighting Development and commercial production of gasoline-powered

Marriage

He married Helen Kelsall Melland, daughter of a Manchester doctor, in 1877, and they had four sons and one daughter before she died from typhoid fever in 1891. Year 1877 ( MDCCCLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Typhoid fever, also known as enteric fever, bilious fever, Yellow Jack or commonly just typhoid, is an illness caused by the Bacterium Year 1891 ( MDCCCXCI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common These children were Raymond(1878-1916), Herbert (1881-1947), Arthur Melland Asquith (1883–1939), Violet (1887-1969), and Cyril (1890-1954). Raymond Asquith ( November 6, 1878 – September 15, 1916) was an English Barrister and eldest son and heir of British Herbert Asquith (1881-1947 was the second son of Herbert Henry Asquith, British Prime Minister &mdash with whom he is frequently confused &mdash and younger brother Helen Violet Bonham Carter Baroness Asquith of Yarnbury DBE ( April 15 1887 – February 19 1969) was a British Cyril Asquith Baron Asquith of Bishopstone ( 5 February 1890 &ndash 24 August 1954) was an English Barrister, Judge Of these children, Violet and Cyril became life peers in their own right, Cyril becoming a law lord. In the United Kingdom, life peers are created members of the Peerage whose titles may not be inherited (those whose titles are inheritable are known as Hereditary The House of Lords, in addition to having a legislative function has a judicial function as a Court of last resort within the United Kingdom.

In 1894, he married Margot Tennant, a daughter of Sir Charles Tennant, 1st Bt. They had two children, Elizabeth Charlotte Lucy (later Princess Antoine Bibesco) (1897-1945) and the film director Anthony (1902-1968). Year 1894 ( MDCCCXCIV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Margot Asquith Countess of Oxford & Asquith, born Emma Alice Margaret Tennant ( February 2, 1864 &ndash July 28, 1945) was an Sir Charles Clow Tennant 1st Baronet ( November 4, 1823 - June 4, 1906) Scottish Businessman, Industrialist and Elizabeth (Asquith Bibesco ( February 26, 1897 - April 7, 1945) was an English Writer, active between 1921 - 1940 The Honourable Anthony Asquith ( November 9, 1902 – February 20, 1968) was a respected English Film director.

All his children, except Anthony, married and left issue. His best-known descendant today is the actress Helena Bonham Carter, a granddaughter of Violet. Helena Bonham Carter (born 26 May 1966 is an Oscar and Golden Globe -nominated English actress.

Name

In his younger days he was called Herbert within the family, but his second wife called him Henry. However, in public he was invariably referred to only as H. H. Asquith. "There have been few major national figures whose Christian names were less well known to the public," writes his biographer, Roy Jenkins. Roy Harris Jenkins Baron Jenkins of Hillhead OM PC ( 11 November 1920 &ndash 5 January 2003) was a British His opponents gave him the nickname "Squiff" or "Squiffy", a derogatory reference to his alleged fondness for drink. ^[1]

When raised to the peerage in 1925, he proposed to take the title "Earl of Oxford" for the city near which he lived and the university he had attended. Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Objections were raised, especially by descendants of Earls of Oxford of previous creations (titles by then extinct), and his title was given in the form Earl of Oxford and Asquith. In practice, however, he was known as Lord Oxford.

During Asquith's period as deputy to Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, "C. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, GCB (7 September 1836 &ndash 22 April 1908 was a British Liberal Statesman who served as Prime Minister B. " was known to request his presence in parliamentary debate by saying, "Send for the sledge-hammer," referring to Asquith's reliable command of facts and his ability to dominate verbal exchange.

Early career (1886-1908)

Elected to Parliament in 1886 as the Liberal representative for East Fife, in Scotland, he achieved his first significant post in 1892 when he became Home Secretary under Gladstone (and later under Rosebery). Year 1886 ( MDCCCLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common East Fife was a County constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1885 until 1983 Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Year 1892 ( MDCCCXCII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year The Secretary of State for the Home Department, commonly known as the Home Secretary, is the minister in charge of the United Kingdom Home Office The Liberals went out of power for ten years from 1895, and he turned down an offer to lead the party in 1898. Year 1895 ( MDCCCXCV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Year 1898 ( MDCCCXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common

The Liberal Party won a landslide victory in the 1906 general election, and Asquith became Chancellor of the Exchequer under Henry Campbell-Bannerman. Year 1906 ( MCMVI) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all Economic and Financial Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, GCB (7 September 1836 &ndash 22 April 1908 was a British Liberal Statesman who served as Prime Minister He demonstrated his staunch support of free trade in this post. Campbell-Bannerman resigned due to illness in April 1908 and Asquith succeeded him as Prime Minister. The King, Edward VII, was holidaying in Biarritz, and refused to return to London, citing health grounds, although it is now known that he was enjoying the company of his mistress Alice Keppel. Biarritz ( French: Biarritz, bjaˈʀits Gascon Occitan: Biàrritz; Basque: Biarritz or Miarritze is a town Alice Frederica Keppel, Née Edmonstone ( 29 April, 1868 &ndash 11 September, 1947) was a British Socialite Asquith was forced to travel to Biarritz for the official "kissing of hands" of the Monarch, the only time a British Prime Minister has formally taken office on foreign soil.

Asquith's government (1908-1916)

The Asquith government became involved in an expensive naval arms race with the German Empire and began an extensive social welfare programme (See Liberal reforms), introducing government pensions in 1908. The term arms race, in its original usage describes a competition between two or more parties for real or apparent military supremacy The German Empire is the name commonly used in English to describe Germany from 1871 to 1918 when it was a semi- Constitutional monarchy: beginning with the Unification The social welfare programme proved controversial, and Asquith's government faced severe (and sometimes barely legal) resistance from the Conservative Party. This came to a head in 1909, when David Lloyd George, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, produced a deliberately provocative "People's Budget". Year 1909 ( MCMIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting David Lloyd George 1st Earl Lloyd George of Dwyfor OM, PC (17 January 1863 &ndash 26 March 1945 was a British Statesman and the only The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all Economic and Financial The 1909 (UK People's Budget was a product of Herbert Asquith 's Liberal government that introduced many unprecedented taxes on the wealthy and radical social welfare programmes The Conservatives, determined to stop passage, used their majority in the House of Lords to reject the bill. The House of Lords is the second house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and is also commonly referred to as "the Lords" The Lords did not traditionally interfere with finance bills and their actions thus provoked a constitutional crisis, forcing the country to a general election in January 1910. The United Kingdom general election of January 1910 was held from 15 January to 10 February 1910.

The election resulted in a hung parliament, with the Liberals having two more seats than the Conservatives, but lacking an overall majority. In Parliamentary systems a hung parliament is one in which no one Political party has an outright majority and means it is most commonly equally balanced The Liberals formed a minority government with the support of the Irish Nationalists. A minority government or a minority cabinet is a Cabinet of a Parliamentary system formed when the governing Political party or The Nationalist Party was a term commonly used to describe a number of parliamentary political parties and constituency organisations supportive of Home Rule for Ireland from

The radical solution in this situation was to threaten to have King Edward VII pack the House of Lords with freshly-minted Liberal peers, who would override the Lords' veto. With the Conservatives remaining recalcitrant in spring of 1910, Asquith began contemplating such an option. King Edward VII agreed to do so, after another general election, but died on 6 May 1910. Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. Year 1910 ( MCMX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting His son, King George V, was reluctant to have his first act in office be the carrying out of such a drastic attack on the aristocracy and it required all of Asquith's considerable powers to convince him to make the promise. This the King finally did before the second election of 1910, in December. The United Kingdom general election of December 1910 was held from 3 to 19 December

The Liberals again won, though their majority in the Commons was now dependent on MPs from Ireland, who had their own price. Nonetheless, Asquith was able to curb the powers of the House of Lords through the Parliament Act 1911, which essentially broke the power of the House of Lords. The Parliament Acts are two Acts of Parliament of the United Kingdom, passed in 1911 and 1949 that form part of the Constitution of the United The Lords could now delay, but not defeat outright, a bill passed by the Commons. The price of Irish support in this effort was the Third Irish Home Rule Bill, which Asquith delivered in legislation that was ultimately suspended owing to the outbreak of World War I in 1914. The Home Rule Act of 1914, also known as the ( Irish) Third Home Rule Act (or Bill) and formally known as the Government of Ireland Act 1914 World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Year 1914 ( MCMXIV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Asquith's efforts over Irish Home Rule nearly provoked a civil war in Ireland over Ulster, only averted by the outbreak of a European war. Home rule refers to a demand that constituent parts of a state be given greater self-government within the greater administrative purview of the central government Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Ulster ( Ulaidh ˈkwɪɟɪ ˈʌlˠu / ˈʌlˠi is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in addition to Connacht, Munster and Leinster Asquith declared war on the German Empire on August 4, 1914 in response to the German invasion of Belgium, as the 1839 Treaty of London had committed the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to guard Belgium's neutrality in the event of invasion. The German Empire is the name commonly used in English to describe Germany from 1871 to 1918 when it was a semi- Constitutional monarchy: beginning with the Unification Events 70 - The Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. Year 1914 ( MCMXIV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those The Treaty of London, also called the First Treaty of London or the Convention of 1839, was a Treaty signed on 19 April 1839 between The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom from 1 January 1801 until 12 April 1927

Asquith headed the Liberal government into the war. However following a Cabinet split on 25 May 1915, caused by the Shell Crisis, he became head of a new coalition government, bringing senior figures from the Opposition into the Cabinet. A cabinet is a body of high-ranking members of Government, typically representing the executive branch. Events 1085 - Alfonso VI of Castile takes Toledo Spain back from the Moors. Year 1915 ( MCMXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The Shell Crisis of 1915 largely contributed to weakening public appreciation of government of the United Kingdom during World War I because it was widely perceived Asquith's British government of 1915 was formed in the aftermath of the Gallipoli disaster by bringing in the Conservatives to shore up the government Parliamentary opposition is a form of political opposition to a designated government particularly in a Westminster -based Parliamentary system But his performance over the conduct of the war dissatisfied certain Liberals and the Conservative Party. Opponents partially blamed a series of political and military disasters (including the failed offensives at the 1915 Battle of Gallipoli and the 1916 Battle of the Somme) and the Easter Rising in Ireland (April 1916) on Asquith. Year 1915 ( MCMXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Year 1916 ( MCMXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year The Battle of the Somme, also known as the Somme Offensive, fought from July to November 1916 was among the largest battles of the First World War The Easter Rising (Éirí Amach na Cásca was a rebellion staged in Ireland in Easter Week, 1916 Acting to displace the Prime Minister, David Lloyd George managed to split the Liberals and, on December 5, 1916, Asquith resigned. David Lloyd George 1st Earl Lloyd George of Dwyfor OM, PC (17 January 1863 &ndash 26 March 1945 was a British Statesman and the only Events 63 BC - Cicero reads the last of his Catiline Orations. Year 1916 ( MCMXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Lloyd George became head of the coalition two days later.

Later life (1916-1928)

Asquith remained leader of the Liberal Party after 1916 and even after losing his seat in the 1918 elections. The United Kingdom general election of 1918 was the first to be held after the Representation of the People Act 1918, which meant it was the first United Kingdom He returned to the House of Commons in a 1920 by-election in Paisley. Paisley was a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1832 until 1983 when it was divided Asquith played a major role in putting the minority Labour government of 1924 into office, elevating Ramsay MacDonald to the Prime Ministership. The Labour Party is a Political party in the United Kingdom. Founded at the start of the 20th century it has been since the 1920s the principal party of the Year 1924 ( MCMXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. James Ramsay MacDonald ( 12 October 1866 &ndash 9 November 1937) was a British politician and twice Prime Minister of the United

Raised to the peerage as Viscount Asquith of Morley in the West Riding of the County of York and Earl of Oxford and Asquith in 1925, Asquith retired to the House of Lords after losing his seat again in the 1924 election held after the fall of the Labour government. The West Riding of Yorkshire is one of the three historic subdivisions of Yorkshire, England. Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The 1924 UK general election was held on 29 October 1924 The Conservatives, led by Stanley Baldwin performed dramatically better in electoral terms than in Lloyd George succeeded him as chairman of the Liberal Members of Parliament, but Asquith remained head of the party until 1926, when Lloyd George succeeded him in that position as well, healing the split in the Liberal Party. Year 1926 ( MCMXXVI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

In 1925 Asquith was nominated for the Chancellorship of the University of Oxford, but lost to Viscount Cave. The 1925 University of Oxford election for the position of Chancellor was called upon the death of the incumbent Chancellor, George Curzon 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston George Cave 1st Viscount Cave, GCMG, KC, PC ( February 23, 1856 &ndash March 29, 1928) was a British On 6 November 1925 he was made a Freeman of Huddersfield

Asquith's death and descendants

Asquith's Grave at All Saints' Church, Sutton Courtenay

Asquith died at his country home The Wharf, Sutton Courteney, Berkshire^[2] in 1928. Huddersfield ( is a large Market town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England, 190 miles (306km north Sutton Courtenay is a Village and Civil parish, between Didcot and Abingdon, currently in the English county of Oxfordshire Year 1928 ( MCMXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Margot died in 1945. Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar They are both buried at All Saints' Church, Sutton Courtenay, (now in Oxfordshire); Asquith having requested that there should be no public funeral. Sutton Courtenay is a Village and Civil parish, between Didcot and Abingdon, currently in the English county of Oxfordshire

Asquith's estate was probated at £9,345 on June 9, 1928, a modest amount for so prominent a man. Probate is the Legal process of settling the estate of a deceased person specifically resolving all claims and distributing the decedent's Property Events 53 - Roman Emperor Nero marries Claudia Octavia 62 - Claudia Octavia commits Year 1928 ( MCMXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[3]

Asquith had five children by his first wife Helen, and five by his second wife Margot, but only his elder five children and two of his five younger children survived birth and infancy.

His eldest son Raymond Asquith was killed at the Somme in 1916, and thus the peerage passed to Raymond's only son Julian, now 2nd Earl of Oxford and Asquith (born in 1916, only a few months before his grandfather's resignation as Prime Minister). Raymond Asquith ( November 6, 1878 – September 15, 1916) was an English Barrister and eldest son and heir of British The Battle of the Somme, also known as the Somme Offensive, fought from July to November 1916 was among the largest battles of the First World War Julian Edward George Asquith 2nd Earl of Oxford and Asquith KCMG (born 22 April 1916) is the grandson of Herbert Henry Asquith 1st Earl of Oxford

His only daughter by his first wife, Violet (later Violet Bonham-Carter), became a well-regarded writer and a life peeress (as Baroness Asquith of Yarnbury in her own right). Helen Violet Bonham Carter Baroness Asquith of Yarnbury DBE ( April 15 1887 – February 19 1969) was a British Helen Violet Bonham Carter Baroness Asquith of Yarnbury DBE ( April 15 1887 – February 19 1969) was a British His fourth son Sir Cyril, Baron Asquith of Bishopstone (1890-1954) became a Law Lord. Cyril Asquith Baron Asquith of Bishopstone ( 5 February 1890 &ndash 24 August 1954) was an English Barrister, Judge Year 1890 ( MDCCCXC) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1954 ( MCMLIV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1954 Gregorian calendar) Lords of Appeal in Ordinary, or Law Lords, are appointed under the Appellate Jurisdiction Act 1876 to the House of Lords of the His second and third sons married well, the poet Herbert Asquith (1881-1947) (who is often confused with his father) married the daughter of an Earl and Brigadier-General Arthur Asquith (1883-1939) married the daughter of a baron. Herbert Asquith (1881-1947 was the second son of Herbert Henry Asquith, British Prime Minister &mdash with whom he is frequently confused &mdash and younger brother Year 1881 ( MDCCCLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Lady Cynthia Mary Evelyn Asquith ( 1887 - March 31, 1960) was an English writer now known for her Ghost stories and diaries Brigadier General is the lowest ranking General Officer in some countries usually sitting between the ranks of Colonel and Major General. Year 1883 ( MDCCCLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

His two children by Margot were Elizabeth (later Princess Antoine Bibesco), a writer, and Anthony Asquith, a film-maker whose productions included The Browning Version and The Winslow Boy. Elizabeth (Asquith Bibesco ( February 26, 1897 - April 7, 1945) was an English Writer, active between 1921 - 1940 The Honourable Anthony Asquith ( November 9, 1902 – February 20, 1968) was a respected English Film director. The Browning Version is a 1951 British film based on the play of the same name by Terence Rattigan. The Winslow Boy is an English play from 1946 by Terence Rattigan based on an actual incident in the Edwardian

Among his living descendants are his great-granddaughter, the actress Helena Bonham Carter (b. Helena Bonham Carter (born 26 May 1966 is an Oscar and Golden Globe -nominated English actress. 1966); and his great-grandson, Dominic Asquith, British Ambassador to Iraq since 2006. Dominic Anthony Gerard Asquith, CMG, (b 7 February 1957 has been a British diplomat since 1983 Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Another leading British actress, Anna Chancellor (b. Anna Chancellor (born 27 April 1965) is a British actress Family Chancellor was born in Richmond Surrey, England 1965, probably best known for her role as Duckface, the Sloane Ranger bride jilted at the altar by Hugh Grant in Four Weddings and a Funeral), is also a descendant, being Herbert Asquith's great-great-granddaughter on her mother's side. The term Sloane Ranger (plurals Sloanes, Sloanies) refers to the young upper class and upper-middle-class men and women living in South-West London. Hugh John Mungo Grant (born 9 September 1960 is a British Actor and Film producer. Four Weddings and a Funeral is a 1994 British Romantic comedy film directed by Mike Newell.

Asquith's Governments

• First Asquith ministry (1908–1915)
• Second Asquith ministry (1915–1916)
• Liberal Government 1905-1915
• Coalition Government 1915-1916

References

Further reading

• H. The Cabinet See also For a more detailed list including ministers not in the Cabinet see Liberal Government 1905-1915. Year 1908 ( MCMVIII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Year 1915 ( MCMXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The Cabinet See also For a more detailed list including ministers not in the Cabinet see Coalition Government 1915-1916. Year 1915 ( MCMXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Year 1916 ( MCMXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year With the fall of Arthur Balfour's Conservative government in the United Kingdom in December 1905, the Liberals under Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman Asquith's British government of 1915 was formed in the aftermath of the Gallipoli disaster by bringing in the Conservatives to shore up the government H. Asquith, H. H. A. : Letters of the Earl of Oxford and Asquith to a Friend (2 vols) (Geoffrey Bles, 1933-4)
• H. Year 1933 ( MCMXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1934 ( MCMXXXIV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. H. Asquith, ed. Michael and Eleanor Brock, Letters to Venetia Stanley (Oxford University Press, 1982)
• Margot Asquith, Autobiography (2 vols) (Thornton Butterworth, 1920-2)
• Colin Clifford, The Asquiths (John Murray, 2002)
• Roy Jenkins, Asquith (Collins, 1964, revised edition 1978)
• Lord Oxford and Asquith, Fifty Years in Parliament (2 vols) (Cassell, 1926)
• Lord Oxford and Asquith, Memories and Recollections (2 vols) (Cassell, 1928)
• J. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Year 1920 ( MCMXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920 of the Gregorian calendar Year 1922 ( MCMXXII) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) Year 1926 ( MCMXXVI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1928 ( MCMXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A. Spender and Cyril Asquith, Life of Lord Oxford and Asquith (2 vols) (Hutchinson, 1932)

See also

• Asquith family for a partial list of his descendants

External links

• Bodleian Library catalogue of H.H.Asquith's private papers
• Bodleian Library catalogue of Margot Asquith's private papers
• Bodleian Library catalogue of Lady Violet Bonham Carter's private papers
• Extended entry in the 1937 Dictionary of National Biography
• More about Herbert Henry Asquith on the Downing Street (official site of the British PM) website. Year 1932 ( MCMXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. The Asquith family were originally a middle class family from West Yorkshire and members of the Congregational church Year 1937 ( MCMXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Dictionary of National Biography ( DNB) is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history published from 1885
• Asquith biography from BBC History
• Asquith entry in Encyclopedia Britannica
• Herbert Asquith at Find-A-Grave

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