MacDonald, (James) Ramsay 1866-1937
Scottish Labour statesman

He was born in Lossiemouth, Morayshire, and educated at a board school. He joined the Independent Labour Party in 1894 and was secretary (1900-11) and Leader (1911-14, 1922-31) of the Labour Party. A member of the London County Council (1901-04) and of parliament from 1906, he became Leader of the Opposition in 1922, and from January to November 1924 was Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary of the first Labour government in Britain - a minority government at the mercy of the Liberals. He was Prime Minister again from 1929 to 1931. He met the financial crisis of 1931 by forming a predominantly Conservative 'National' government (opposed by most of his party), which he rebuilt and led (1931-35) after a general election. In 1935 Stanley Baldwin took over the premiership and MacDonald became Lord President. He died shortly after his retirement in 1937.