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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Bonar Law
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(Andrew Bonar Law, 1858–1923) Conservative politician from an Ulster family, born in Canada, who made a fortune as an iron merchant in Glasgow – a blend of influences which made him a follower of Joseph *Chamberlain's imperialism and a firm ally of *Carson in opposition to *Home Rule for Ireland. He entered parliament in 1900 and in 1911 succeeded *Balfour as leader of the party. From 1915 he was in the coalition governments of *Asquith and *Lloyd George (he was chancellor of the exchequer 1916–19).
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In 1921 ill health forced his resignation (he was followed as leader of the party by Austen *Chamberlain), but in 1922 he was the moving spirit in the stormy meeting of Conservative MPs which ended the coalition, created the *1922 Committee and reinstated him as leader. The Conservatives easily won the resulting election, regaining power for the first time since 1906. Law became prime minister in October 1922 but resigned again from ill health the following May.
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