England Objects to the Treaty of Versailles, June 1, 1919

Journal of Liberal History

On This Day

16 April 1815

Birth of Henry Austin Bruce, 1st Baron Aberdare, Liberal Home Secretary 1868-73

Born in Aberdare, Glamorganshire, Bruce served as Liberal MP for Merthyr Tydfil 1852-1868 and Renfrewshire 1869-73. As Home Secretary Bruce was responsible for the 1872 Licensing Act which regulated pub closing times and regulated the content of beer. After giving up the Home Office at Gladstone’s request, Bruce served as Lord President of the Council. The defeat of the Liberals in 1874 ended Bruce’s political career but in later life he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society and was president in turn of the Royal Historical Society and the Royal Geographical Society. He died in 1895 aged 79.