Online Talk // Disraeli, His Debts & the Duke with Dr Fiona Clapperton

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The most quoted British Prime Minister in history, Benjamin Disraeli, once said: “The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity.” For Disraeli, his window of opportunity came when he met and befriended the Portland family.

At this time, his political career was in its infancy. He was Jewish and a bankrupt school dropout. The press pointed out that, ‘other than a clutch of novels and striking good looks, [he] had no qualifications or accomplishments to merit election.’ Yet, through the patronage of the Portland family, including a loan which today would be worth over £2,000,000, Disraeli was able to become the leader of the Conservative Party and eventually, Prime Minister.

This talk charts the friendship between Benjamin Disraeli and the Fifth Duke of Portland in particular. It argues that Disraeli’s success was due to the support given to him by the Portland family, something Disraeli himself was aware of.

Dr Fiona Clapperton is a Historian and Education and Engagement Manager at the Harley Foundation