In character and outlook William Ewart Gladstone was tempestuous and volcanic. Throughout his long political career his methods were highly unpredictable and he underwent many transformations, even reversals. With clarity and objectivity, Dr. Agatha Ramm analyses Gladstone's career and his intellectual and religious development. As presented here, Gladstone emerges as a pragmatic, adaptable political leader, but also a towering influence who dominated his world as 'a great Christian statesman.'