Canning Tory Prime Minister in 1827 - a time when food price increases were causing riots. Cheaper imported wheat had been taxed (the Corn Laws) to protect the income of landowners. Peel Prime Minister of the new Conservative party, twice. At just 24 he set up the Royal Irish Constabulary used to protect the landowners in the event of local unrest at the time of the famine. Palmerston Prime Minister at 75 years old. who believed that Britain should increase her power in the world at the same time as the American colonies were fighting for their independence. Stanley (Earl of Derby) Conservative Prime Minister three times. Saw through the act for the emancipation of West Indian slaves (with compensation to the slave owners but not the slaves), and established the national schools in Ireland Disraeli (Earl of Beaconsfield) Conservative Prime Minister, twice, and Queen Victoria's favourite. Drew up policies for the mangement of the Empire. Opposed Gladstone's Liberals

Gladstone Liberal Prime Minister four times, although he started out as a conservative. Critical of the running of Empire and 'The Great Game' of international conflict, and devoted much of his time in office to securing home rule for Ireland. Lloyd George Liberal MP and Prime Minister in a coalition government during the 1st World War which claimed over 20 million lives. He was Britain's delegate to the Paris Peace Conference afterwards that drafted the Versailles Treaty Churchill Conservative politician and Britain's wartime Prime Minister. Refused to negotiate with Germany even when defeat seemed likely. Organised the 'lend-lease' agreement with the Americans before they joined the war, as a way of paying for food and military supplies Lawson Liberal Party politician who tried to outlaw the trade in alcohol as a solution to the social problems caused by drunkeness. Most Christian groups, including the Salvation Army, were supporters of the idea. Bartle Frere Civil servant in charge of the administration of colonial South Africa

Lawrence Viceroy of India from 1864, tackling both administrative and military duties. Curzon 1919 Foreign Secretary directing the running of Empire. Opposed votes for women. Undertook restoration of the Taj Mahal while Viceroy of India Herbert War Secretary during the Crimean War, the purpose of which was to prevent Russia's rival empire from expanding into Turkey and threatening British trade routes Washington British-born (in the Virginia colony), George Washington became the first President of the United States at the end of the 8 year War of Independence Lincoln President of the United States whose campaign for the total abolition of slavery led to seven southern states leaving the Union to form the Confederate States of America, with 4 years of civil war to follow. Mandela led the struggle for multi-racial democracy in South Africa and becomes the country's first black president.

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