Harry Furniss: Campbell Bannerman Caricature

Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman was the first man to be given official use of the title ‘Prime Minister'. Known as CB, he was a firm believer in free trade, Irish Home Rule and the improvement of social conditions. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman was born on 7 September 1836 in Glasgow and he was educated at Glasgow High School and at Glasgow and Cambridge Universities. In 1868 he was elected the Liberal MP for Stirling Burghs. Gladstone appointed him Financial Secretary at the War Office, and then Secretary of State for War in his next two governments. He later became the Liberal leader. The Liberal party split over the Boer War and Campbell-Bannerman condemned the campaign. After Balfour's resignation in 1905, Campbell-Bannerman was appointed Prime Minister and his government became known for being strong and efficient. The Liberals went on to win the 1906 election. Following this win, Campbell-Bannerman restored independence to the Transvaal and the Orange Free State in South Africa but much of his domestic legislation was nullified by the House of Lords. He resigned due to ill health and died seventeen days later on 22 April 1908 at 10 Downing Street.