Contents
Clement Attlee
Leading the postwar Labour government that established the NHS.
National Insurance Act · Indian independence
- Born
- 3 January 1883
- Birthplace
- London, United Kingdom
- Died
- 8 October 1967
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Clement Attlee was British prime minister from 1945 to 1951. His government expanded social insurance, nationalised major industries and oversaw the end of British rule in India and several other territories.
Early life
Oxford and law
Read history at Oxford and trained as a barrister.
East End work
Voluntary work among poor communities in London helped shift his politics toward socialism.
Career
- 1919
Stepney mayor
Entered local leadership after First World War service.
- 1922
Parliament
Was elected MP for Limehouse.
- 1935
Labour leader
Began two decades leading the party.
- 1945
Prime minister
Led Labour to a decisive election victory after serving in the wartime coalition.
Policies & public service
National Insurance Act
Extended social insurance as part of the postwar welfare settlement.
Indian independence
His government ended British rule amid partition and mass displacement.
National Health Service
His government introduced a health service under minister Aneurin Bevan.
Beyond work
Family
Married Violet Millar in 1922; they had four children.
Military service
Served in the First World War, including the Gallipoli campaign.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Government biography ↗Photo: Presumably Yousuf Karsh. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
