Marquis of Salisbury (1885-6, 1886-92, 1895-1902) - Prime Minister - Parliament

Robert Cecil was the second son of the Marquis of Salisbury and born in 1830. Like so many of his predecessors he was educated at Eton and Oxford before taking up a career in politics. He was a supporter of the Conservative party and was elected to represent Stamford. It was not until the death of Disraeli that Cecil became leader of the Conservative Party and eventually the Prime Minister. Cecil was replaced briefly by Gladstone but came back to power and it was his policies that led to the Boer War.

Marquis of Salisbury to Lord Randolf Churchill – 7th November 1886:
“We have to give some satisfaction to both the upper classes and the masses. This is especially difficult with the upper classes - because all legislation is rather unwelcome to them, as tending to disturb a state of things with which they are satisfied. It is evident, therefore, that we must work at less speed and at a lower temperature than our opponents. Our bills must be tentative and cautious, not sweeping and dramatic”.

"English policy is to float lazily downstream, occasionally putting out a diplomatic boathook to avoid collisions"

"The first object of a treaty of peace should be to make future war improbable"

"The federated action of Europe is our sole hope of escaping the constant terror and calamity of war"