Academics mark centenary of Gladstone’s birth at conference in Chester

LEADING academics from across the globe descended on Chester for a conference to commemorate the bicentenary of Gladstone’s birth in 1809.

Speaking at the conference, which was organised by the University of Chester’s department of history and archaeology and centre for Victorian studies, in conjunction with St Deiniol’s Library in Hawarden, Dr Eugenio Biagini said Gladstone’s influence was alive in 21st century politics.

He said: “There is no doubt that there is common ground between Thatcher, Blair and Gladstone, and that he continues to speak to political imaginations today.”