Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery journal  1873


Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, was born in London on May 7, 1847. A graduate of Eton, he went to Oxford but was expelled in 1869, after he purchased a racehorse in violation of the school's behavioral code. He had already inherited the titles of Lord Dalmeny and Earl of Rosebery, along with land and money, when his father and grandfather died. Following his truncated collegiate career, Rosebery took his place in the House of Lords. A member of the Liberal Party, he spearheaded efforts to reconstitute Parliament so that it would be more equitable and balanced. In 1877 he became president of the East and North Scotland Liberal Association. He married Hannah de Rothschild (1851-1890) in 1878, and the couple had four children. In 1894, following the resignation of William Gladstone, Rosebery became Prime Minister of the Liberal government, but his policies were not supported in Parliament and he resigned in June 1895. Rosebery subsequently resigned as head of the Liberal Party, eventually disaffiliating himself from them, and declaring his opposition to Irish Home Rule. He died on May 21, 1929.