Arthur Balfour

About

From 1902 until 1905, this British Conservative Party politician served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. After ending what proved an unpopular administration, he held a number of other political offices, including Leader of the Opposition; First Lord of the Admiralty; Foreign Secretary; and Lord President of the Council.

Before Fame

After graduating from Trinity College, University of Cambridge, he entered politics and became a Member of Parliament as well as Secretary for Scotland and Chief Secretary for Ireland.

Trivia

He resigned as Prime Minister in 1905 and was succeeded by Liberal Party politician Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman.

Family Life

The children of James Maitland Balfour and Lady Blanche Gascoyne-Cecil, he and his seven younger siblings were raised in both Scotland and England. He was the nephew of British Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury (Lord Salisbury).

Associated With

Under Balfour's prime ministerial administration, Joseph Chamberlain served as Secretary of State for the Colonies.