Benjamin Disraeli

30 snips

Oct 17, 2024

Guest

Daisy Hay

Lawrence Goldman, an Emeritus Fellow in History at Oxford, Emily Jones, a Modern British History lecturer at Manchester, and Daisy Hay, a Professor of English Literature, delve into the life of Benjamin Disraeli. They discuss his dual role as Prime Minister and novelist, his contributions to One Nation Conservatism, and the societal themes in his novel 'Sybil.' The trio also explores Disraeli's complex identity, his bond with Queen Victoria, and his long-lasting impact on British politics and literature.

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ANECDOTE

Disraeli's Upbringing

Disraeli's father, Isaac, a literary figure, shaped his early life.
Despite family's improved finances, Disraeli resented his younger brothers receiving better education.

ANECDOTE

Disraeli's Baptism

Disraeli's father had him baptized Anglican, crucial for his political career.
This made Disraeli an outsider in both Jewish and Christian traditions.

ANECDOTE

Reasons for Conversion

Isaac Disraeli's refusal to be a synagogue warden led to his children's conversion.
This was partly due to existing social and political restrictions on Jews.

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Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss one of the major figures in Victorian British politics. Disraeli (1804 -1881) served both as Prime Minister twice and, for long periods, as leader of the opposition. Born a Jew, he was only permitted to enter Parliament as his father had him baptised into the Church of England when he was twelve. Disraeli was a gifted orator and, outside Parliament, he shared his views widely through several popular novels including Sybil or The Two Nations, which was to inspire the idea of One Nation Conservatism. He became close to Queen Victoria and she mourned his death with a primrose wreath, an event marked for years after by annual processions celebrating his life in politics.

With

Lawrence Goldman Emeritus Fellow in History at St Peter's College, University of Oxford

Emily Jones Lecturer in Modern British History at the University of Manchester

And

Daisy Hay Professor of English Literature and Life Writing at the University of Exeter

Producer: Simon Tillotson

Reading list:

Robert Blake, Disraeli (first published 1966; Faber & Faber, 2010)

M. Dent, ‘Disraeli and the Bible’ (Journal of Victorian Culture 29, 2024)

Benjamin Disraeli (ed. N. Shrimpton), Sybil; or, The Two Nations (Oxford University Press, 2017)

Daisy Hay, Mr and Mrs Disraeli: A Strange Romance (Chatto & Windus, 2015)

Douglas Hurd and Edward Young, Disraeli: or, The Two Lives (W&N, 2014)

Emily Jones, ‘Impressions of Disraeli: Mythmaking and the History of One Nation Conservatism, 1881-1940’ (French Journal of British Studies 28, 2023)

William Kuhn, The Politics of Pleasure: A Portrait of Benjamin Disraeli (Simon & Schuster, 2007)

Robert O'Kell, Disraeli: The Romance of Politics (University of Toronto Press, 2013)

J.P. Parry, ‘Disraeli and England’ (Historical Journal 43, 2000)

J.P. Parry, ‘Disraeli, the East and Religion: Tancred in Context’ (English Historical Review 132, 2017)

Cecil Roth, Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield (New York Philosophical library, 1952)

Paul Smith, Disraelian Conservatism and Social Reform (Routledge & Kegan Paul PLC, 1967)

John Vincent, Disraeli (Oxford University Press, 1990)

P.J. Waller (ed.), Politics and Social Change in Modern Britain (Prentice Hall / Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1987), especially the chapter ‘Style and Substance in Disraelian Social Reform’ by P. Ghosh

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