Historedia
Person

Sir William Harcourt

Events
2
Episodes
5
Years
1885–1894

Every event in Historedia whose sources name Sir William Harcourt, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. John 'Babbacombe' Lee survives attempted hanging at Exeter Prison

    1885

    Role: Home Secretary

    1. 1885 · Exeter PrisonCommutation to Life Imprisonment

      Home Secretary Sir William Harcourt commuted Lee's death sentence to life imprisonment following the failed executions.

    2. 23 February 1885 · Exeter PrisonFailed Execution at Exeter

      Three hanging attempts on John Babbacombe Lee failed at Exeter Prison on 23 February 1885 due to a trapdoor malfunction.

  2. William Gladstone resigns as Prime Minister

    1894

    Role: Chancellor of the Exchequer

    1. January 1894 · LondonNaval Estimates Conflict

      Gladstone refused to support Royal Navy expansion in January 1894, opposing an Opposition motion from December 1893.

    2. March 1894 · LondonRosebery Succession

      Rosebery succeeded Gladstone as Prime Minister in March 1894, causing disgust among left-wing Liberals led by Harcourt.

    3. 1 March 1894 · LondonFinal Cabinet Meeting

      Gladstone chaired his last Cabinet on 1 March 1894, the 556th he had chaired, following his last audience with Queen Victoria.

Sources

  1. John Babbacombe Lee Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-01
  2. Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-01