William Ewart Gladstone began his political career in Great Britain in the Conservative party, becoming a Member of Parliament in 1832 and remaining an MP until 1895. He joined the Liberal party around 1859 but always held to his own principles and was a financial reformer, political theorist, theologian, and scholar. Born in Liverpool, he was MP for Midlothian in Scotland from 1879. A political rival to Benjamin Disraeli, Gladstone was Prime Minister in 1868-1874, 1880-1885, 1886, and 1892-1894. He was also chancellor of the exchequer and held other political posts.