Rab Butler

RAB BUTLER d1982. British Conservative statesman. The Times obituary called him "the creator of the modern educational system, the key-figure in the revival of post-war Conservatism, arguably the most successful chancellor since the war and unquestionably a Home Secretary of reforming zeal." He was one of his party's leaders in promoting the post-war concensus through which the major parties largely agreed on the main points of domestic policy until the 1970s, sometimes known as "Butskellism" from an fusion of his name with that of his Labour counterpart Hugh Gaitskell. He enjoyed a brilliant academic career before entering Parliament in 1929. As a junior minister, he helped to pass the Govenment of India Act 1935. He strongly supported the appeasement of Nazi Germany in 1938–39. Entering the Cabinet in 1941, he served as Education Minister (1941–45). When the Conservatives returned to power in 1951, he served as Chancellor of The Exchequer (1951–55) / Home Secretary (1957–62) / Deputy Prime Minister (1962–63) and Foreign Secretary (1963–64). He died aged 79 on March 8th 1982