The Chamberlains

** This electronic edition includes 32 black-and-white photographs ** 


Joe Chamberlain - 'maker and unmaker of parties'.Austen Chamberlain, 'who always played the game and always lost'.Neville Chamberlain, 'the worst Prime Minister since Lord North'.The Chamberlains were a unique urban dynasty. The locus of their power was the Midlands industrial city of Birmingham. For 64 unbroken years, never losing an election, they represented Birmingham in Parliament. A family belonging to the Nonconformist elite which dominated the city socially and commercially, the foundations of their power were laid by the charismatic Joseph, a successful entrepreneur who as Mayor was credited with transforming the city. Entering Parliament as a Radical in 1876, then years later he was active in defeating Irish Home Rule and creating the Liberal Unionist party. From 1895 to 1903 he was Colonial Secretary and an aggressive imperialist, eventually splitting his party over tariff reform. His elder son Austen spent his career at the apex of the Conservative party, twice Chancellor of the Exchequer, a distinguished Foreign Secretary and several times passing up opportunities leading to the premiership. Neville followed closely in his father's footsteps. Entering Parliament late he became a key figure in inter-war politics. A reforming Minister of Health and a successful Chancellor in the wake of the Great Depression, as Prime Minister from 1937-1940 he tragically fell foul of the dictators, his policy of Appeasement blighting his reputation. 


** This electronic edition includes 32 black-and-white photographs **