The Earl of Beaconsfield, Benjamin Disraeli was one of the great political minds of the 19th century. He helped Britain overcome the effects of the Industrial Revolution and maintain a vast empire. Through his efforts, workers' rights were expanded and England was able to make a peaceful transition to democracy. Disraeli, a commoner by birth, was nevertheless an aristocrat in ideology. Through this unique combination of ideals, Disraeli was able to navigate Britain in the mid-19th century, restoring the prestige of the monarchy and aristocracy and expanding the rights of commoners. Disraeli sought to preserve the interests of the ruling aristocracy and maintain English predominance. and freedom in the world. In this respect, Disraeli resembled many members of the conservative aristocracy of the 18th and 19th centuries who sought to retain their power. Members of this class, such as James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan and George Bingham, 3rd Earl of Lucan, disliked any form of political reform and sought to retain their power in Parliament against the radical Whigs. As a member of a noble family who sought to protect him, James Brudenell was discouraged from entering military service, but instead, through his father's influence, he obtained a place in the House of Representatives. communities. Brudenell was an MP for several years, until the election of 1832, when, due to the passage of the Reform Bill, he had to wage a difficult and bitter struggle and campaign to retain his seat in Parliament. From Parliament, Bundenell was able to use the purchasing system to realize his lifelong ambition: a career in the army. From there he took control of the 15th Hussars and made it his model of infantry...... middle of paper ...... power and avoid revolution. Thus, thanks to social reforms, Disraeli, in the second half of the 19th century, was able to navigate the waters of power while appealing to the people. Similar to Disraeli, Lord Lucan's son saw the need for humanity for the lower classes and extended his humanitarian efforts to his estates in Ireland. Disraeli, the solitary Christian Jew, was truly a great leader of the 19th century. He helped preserve the empire, create a sense of British pride and reform government, while preserving its principles and identity. Works Cited Smith, Paul. Disraeli, A Brief Life. Cambridge: University Press, Cambridge, 1996. Woodham-Smith, Cecil. The reason why. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1954. Youngs, Fredric. English heritage. Flight. 2. 2 vols. Wheeling, IL: Harlan Davidson, 1999.