Scandals of a Victorian Prime Minister

And how his literary career took off

Author’s photo of a portrait at Disraeli’s former home, Hughenden Manor — out of copyright.

Tabloid scandals are nothing new. In Victorian England, Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli was causing scandals of a different kind. ‘Abusive, offensive, shocking and disgraceful’ — that’s what polite society had to say about Disraeli’s first novel. His newspaper was a flop and his reputation, colourful to say the least!

My home town is close to Disraeli’s former home, Hughenden Manor. We visit regularly and I find the stories of his life and literary career fascinating.

Much like today’s tabloids, Benjamin Disraeli profiteered from disclosing other people’s secrets. He portrayed real individuals as fictitious characters in his controversial first novel. It put many high-profile people in a quandary.

Although it was a work of fiction, many esteemed members of society believed the story caricatured them, and some said he’d betrayed their trust.

Background

Disraeli was born on 21 December 1804, lived in a fashionable part of London and attended private schools. Even though his father Isaac was a writer, he wanted his son to learn a respectable profession and advised young Disraeli to study law. The young man followed this route, until he became fascinated by literature and the idea of…