Lloyd George, David

Lloyd George, David Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor (1863-1945), statesman, b. Manchester, England.

David Lloyd George's father died when he was two and he was brought up in Wales by his uncle, Richard Lloyd.

He became a solicitor and, in 1890, was elected Member of Parliament for Caernarvon. From the start, he was noted for his skill as a speaker, and he quickly became a leading member of the Liberal Party.

From 1908-15, he was Chancellor of the Exchequer and he introduced old age pensions and National Health insurance.

He became Prime Minister in the middle of the First World War (1914-18). He was a forceful leader and his speeches showed his love of Britain and his confidence of winning the war. Adolf Hitler once said that Lloyd George was 'the man who won the war' for Britain.

After the war, he was not so successful. In 1921, he agreed to the formation of the Irish Free State. This made him unpopular and the following year he resigned as Prime Minister.

He remained MP for Caernarvon up to the year of his death, holding the position in all for fifty-five years.

See Alan Sharp David Lloyd George: Great Britain: Makers of the Modern World