Richard Austen “Rab” Butler (1902–82) was a British Conservative politician who shaped post-war Britain. He held high-ranking positions, including Chancellor of the Exchequer, Home Secretary, and Foreign Secretary, earning a reputation as a pragmatic statesman.
Born in Attock Serai, British India (now Pakistan,) he was educated at Marlborough College and Pembroke College-Cambridge, where he excelled academically. Elected Member of Parliament for Saffron Walden in 1929, he held the seat until 1965. As Minister of Education (1941–45,) he introduced the Education Act (1944,) a landmark reform expanding secondary education access.
A key figure in Conservative leadership struggles, Butler was often called “the best Prime Minister Britain never had.” His political philosophy, Butskellism, blended Conservative and Labour economic policies.
After retiring, he served as Master of Trinity College-Cambridge (1965–78) and was later granted a life peerage as Baron Butler of Saffron Walden. His books include The Art of the Possible (1971,) a political memoir, and Politics and War (1985,) examining British governance in wartime.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Rab Butler
In politics you must always keep running with the pack. The moment that you falter and they sense that you are injured, the rest will turn on you like wolves.
—Rab Butler
Leave a Reply