Roger Ward

Charles Sanders Peirce is one of the most original voices in American philosophy. His scientific career and his goal of proving scientific logic provide rich material for philosophical development. Peirce was also a life-long Christian and member of the Episcopal Church. Roger Ward traces the impact of Peirce’s religion and Christianity on the development of Peirce’s philosophy. Peirce’s religious framework is a key to his development of pragmatism and normative science in terms of knowledge and moral transformation. Peirce’s argument for the reality of God is a culmination of both his religious devotion and his life-long philosophical development.

Longest serving Home Secretary until Theresa May, his tenure covering the Ripper murders, Fenian violence and social unrest, Matthews is notable as the first Catholic member of the Cabinet during a time of continued prejudice, yet this enigmatic character has been largely ignored or written off. Roger Ward challenges hostile judgements and examines Matthews' life and career in the context of turbulent times. A successful barrister, he entered the world of nineteenth century politics as MP for an Irish constituency, before becoming the sole Conservative MP in Chamberlain-controlled Birmingham. Championed by Lord Randolph Churchill, he found himself unexpectedly propelled into Salisbury's government of 1886-92, but lost his protector and was left to face a hostile press and Commons. Despite being born into solid Herefordshire gentry, Matthews grew up in Ceylon and was educated in Paris, multi-lingual, cosmopolitan and ill at ease in the brute ranks of the Tory party. Lone Catholic in Cabinet, lone Conservative in Birmingham, with no political coterie, he was an outsider on the inside. Raised to the peerage in 1895, he dedicated his life to Catholic causes. On his death he left instructions to burn his private papers, leaving tantalisingly few traces of a fascinating career.

Charles Sanders Peirce is one of the most original voices in American philosophy. His scientific career and his goal of proving scientific logic provide rich material for philosophical development. Peirce was also a life-long Christian and member of the Episcopal Church. Roger Ward traces the impact of Peirce’s religion and Christianity on the development of Peirce’s philosophy. Peirce’s religious framework is a key to his development of pragmatism and normative science in terms of knowledge and moral transformation. Peirce’s argument for the reality of God is a culmination of both his religious devotion and his life-long philosophical development.

Joe Chamberlain - 'maker and unmaker of parties'. Austen Chamberlain, 'who always played the game and always lost'. Neville Chamberlain, 'the worst Prime Minister since Lord North'. The Chamberlains were a unique urban dynasty. The locus of their power was the Midlands industrial city of Birmingham. For 64 unbroken years, never losing an election, they represented Birmingham in Parliament. A family belonging to the Nonconformist elite which dominated the city socially and commercially, the foundations of their power were laid by the charismatic Joseph, a successful entrepreneur who as Mayor was credited with transforming the city. Entering Parliament as a Radical in 1876, then years later he was active in defeating Irish Home Rule and creating the Liberal Unionist party. From 1895 to 1903 he was Colonial Secretary and an aggressive imperialist, eventually splitting his party over tariff reform. His elder son Austen spent his career at the apex of the Conservative party, twice Chancellor of the Exchequer, a distinguished Foreign Secretary and several times passing up opportunities leading to the premiership. Neville followed closely in his father's footsteps. Entering Parliament late he became a key figure in inter-war politics. A reforming Minister of Health and a successful Chancellor in the wake of the Great Depression, as Prime Minister from 1937-1940 he tragically fell foul of the dictators, his policy of Appeasement blighting his reputation.