Charles Wood, 1st Viscount Halifax (1800-1885), Politician and Chancellor of the Exchequer

Sitter in 26 portraits
Wood entered Parliament in 1826. A cautiously progressive liberal, he responded to the shifts in public opinion in his time. He was enthusiastic about Parliamentary reform and was committed to repealing the Corn Laws. He succeeded to the Baronetcy on his father's death in 1846. He held several senior government offices, including Chancellor of the Exchequer, First Lord of the Admiralty and Secretary of State for India.