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British Prime Ministers


Leader of Her Majesty's Government, the Prime Minister is responsible for policy and decision making of the government. A key figure in the House of Commons, appointing members of the government and administering the Civil Service and government agencies. The prime Minister is the leader of the political party that holds the largest number of seats in the chamber and appointed by the Queen under constitutional conventions. The role was not established by constitutional document but instead has evolved over the past 300 years. The overthrow of King James II during the Revolution of 1688 created a shift in the power dynamic and resulted in monarchs becoming more dependent on parliament. Robert Walpole is cited as the first modern Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury. By 1805 the Times newspaper began to use the term Prime Minister and it was used in parliamentary debates. By 1918 the Prime Minster had the authority to request dissolution of Parliament by the monarch to trigger a general election. In the same year, 10 Downing Street became the official residence.

George Hamilton Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen

George Hamilton Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen

1784-1860
Prime Minister
Sitter associated with 57 portraits
Clement Attlee

Clement Attlee

1883-1967
Prime Minister
Sitter in 49 portraits
Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon

Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon

1897-1977
Prime Minister
Sitter in 44 portraits
Stanley Baldwin

Stanley Baldwin

1867-1947
Prime Minister
Sitter in 76 portraits
Arthur James Balfour, 1st Earl of Balfour

Arthur James Balfour, 1st Earl of Balfour

1848-1930
Prime Minister and philosopher
Sitter in 140 portraits
Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield

Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield

1804-1881
Prime Minister and novelist; Trustee of the National Portrait Gallery
Sitter associated with 112 portraits
Tony Blair

Tony Blair

1953-
Prime Minister
Sitter in 15 portraits
Gordon Brown

Gordon Brown

1951-
Prime Minister
Sitter in 7 portraits
James Callaghan

James Callaghan

1912-2005
Prime Minister
Sitter in 22 portraits
David Cameron

David Cameron

1966-
Prime Minister
Sitter in 4 portraits
Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman

Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman

1836-1908
Prime Minister
Sitter in 29 portraits
George Canning

George Canning

1770-1827
Prime Minister
Sitter associated with 64 portraits
Neville Chamberlain

Neville Chamberlain

1869-1940
Prime Minister; son of Joseph Chamberlain
Sitter in 48 portraits
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham

William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham

1708-1778
Prime Minister
Sitter associated with 33 portraits | Artist associated with 1 portrait
Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill

1874-1965
Prime Minister
Sitter in 224 portraits
William Ewart Gladstone

William Ewart Gladstone

1809-1898
Prime Minister and writer; Trustee of the National Portrait Gallery
Sitter associated with 324 portraits
William Wyndham Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville

William Wyndham Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville

1759-1834
Prime Minister
Sitter associated with 70 portraits