Herbert Henry Asquith, 1852-1928, was an English statesman. Born in Morley,
Yorkshire, he graduated from Balliol College and was admitted to the bar in 1876. Entering
Parliament in 1886, he became home secretary (1892-18950 under Gladstone. As a member of the Liberal Party, he joined the Imperialist wing. From 1905-1908, he was
Chancellor of the Exchequer, where he greatly reduced the national debt. In 1908, he became
Prime Minister. However, after the outbreak of World War I, dissatisfaction with the Asquith government over a series of issues led to the formation of a coalition government in 1915. In 1916, the coalition fell. He was created Earl of Oxford and Asquith in 1925 and entered the
House of Lords.
