The making of a liberal politician: the political significance of changes in Gladstone's view of the relationship between the church and the state, 1830 to 1851

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to discover what influences changes in Gladstone's view of the relationship between the Church and the State had on his political career between 1830 and 1851. Gladstone's religious beliefs as a whole had a tremendous influence on all aspects of his political behaviour. The more specific, or narrow topic, of his view of Church-State relations can never be separated from his general religious beliefs. Nevertheless, I have tried to show that Gladstone's view of Church-State relations governed nearly every action of his early career. Any alterations in such views were therefore of great political significance in respect of Gladstone's life in politics.