David Lloyd George (d. 1945)

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Biography

David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1922. A Liberal Party politician from Wales, he was known for leading the United Kingdom during the First World War, for social-reform policies, for his role in the Paris Peace Conference, and for negotiating the establishment of the Irish Free State.

In Their Own Words (5)

Diplomats were invented simply to waste time.

On preparation for the Paris Peace Conference (November 1918) , 1918

The question will be asked, "Should 500 men, ordinary men, chosen accidentally from among the unemployed, override the judgment...of millions of people who are engaged in the industry which makes the wealth of the country?"

On the House of Lords, speech in Newcastle (9 October 1909), quoted in The Times (11 October 1909), p. 6 , 1909

As we came away we ran into Lloyd George. Turning to me he said: "What are you going to do, my boy, when you grow up?" "I'm going into the Navy, sir," I replied. He frowned. "There are many greater storms in politics. If it's piracy you want, with broadsides, boarding parties, walking the plank and blood on the deck, this is the place." His words had gone home. That evening I confided to my father that what Lloyd George had said had decided my life. It would be politics for me.

Recounted by Julian Amery, Approach March: A Venture in Autobiography (1973) , 1973

The finest eloquence is that which gets things done; the worst is that which delays them.

Speech at the Paris Peace Conference (January 1919) , 1919

A politician is a person with whose politics you don't agree; if you agree with him he's a statesman.

As quoted in The British System of Government (1965) by Dilwyn Thomas , 1965

Timeline

The story of David Lloyd George, told in moments.

1890 Life

Won a by-election for Caernarvon Boroughs at 27. He held the seat for 55 consecutive years, until his death.

What was it like winning a seat at 27 and holding it for life? Did you always know you'd be in politics?

1909 Event

As Chancellor of the Exchequer, introduced the People's Budget, taxing land ownership and high incomes to fund welfare reforms. The House of Lords rejected it. A constitutional crisis followed. The Lords lost.

Were you trying to start a revolution with the People's Budget? What was it like when the Lords rejected it?

1916 Event

Became Prime Minister during World War I, replacing Asquith. He centralized war management and pushed for a unified Allied command. He led Britain through the final two years of the war.

How did you convince people you could run a war? What did centralizing power feel like?

1919 Event

Represented Britain at the Paris Peace Conference. He negotiated between Clemenceau's harshness and Wilson's idealism. The Treaty of Versailles was the result.

Was the Treaty of Versailles a failure you saw coming? Who was harder to negotiate with -- Clemenceau or Wilson?

1945 Death

Died at Llanystumdwy at 82, three months before the war he'd predicted ended. He'd been made Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor just weeks before.

Did you predict the second war? What does it feel like to die just months before the end?