The Grand Old Man

All history says Emerson resolves itself into the biographies of a few stout and earnest persons. These remarks find exemplification in the life of William Ewart Gladstone of whom they are pre-eminently true. His recorded life from the early period of his graduation to his fourth premiership would embrace in every important respect not only the history of the British Empire but very largely the international events of every nation of the world for more than half a century. William Ewart Gladstone M.P. D.C.L. statesman orator and scholar was born December 27 1809 in Liverpool England. The house in which he was born number 62 Rodney Street a commodious and imposing double-fronted dwelling of red brick is still standing. In the neighborhood of the Rodney Street house and a few years before or after the birth of William E. Gladstone a number of distinguished persons were born among them William Roscoe the writer and philanthropist John Gibson the sculptor Doctor Bickersteth the late Bishop of Ripon Mrs. Hemans the poetess and Doctor James Martineau Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy in Manchester New College and the brother of Harriet Martineau the authoress.