Historical Figure
James Callaghan
1912–2005
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1976 to 1979
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Biography
Leonard James Callaghan, Baron Callaghan of Cardiff, was a British statesman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1976 to 1979 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1976 to 1980. Callaghan is the only person to have held all four Great Offices of State, having also served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1964 to 1967, Home Secretary from 1967 to 1970 and Foreign Secretary from 1974 to 1976. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1945 to 1987.
Timeline
The story of James Callaghan, told in moments.
Became Chancellor of the Exchequer under Harold Wilson. Forced to devalue the pound in 1967. The only person in modern British history to hold all four great offices of state.
As Home Secretary, led the successful parliamentary vote to permanently abolish capital punishment in Britain.
Became Prime Minister after Harold Wilson resigned. Led a Labour government without a parliamentary majority. Relied on a pact with the Liberal Party to survive.
Lost a vote of no confidence by a single vote, 311 to 310. The tightest such vote in parliamentary history. It triggered the election that brought Margaret Thatcher to power.
Died at his farm in Ringmer, East Sussex. Age 92. He had outlived every other British Prime Minister at the time of his death.
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