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CALLAGHAN, James, Baron

(1912–2005), British prime minister (1976–79), born in Portsmouth. He served in the Royal Navy during World War II and was elected to Parliament for the Labour party in 1945. Callaghan was chancellor of the Exchequer (1964–67), home secretary (1967–70), and foreign secretary (1974–76) in the two governments headed by Harold Wilson, and he succeeded Wilson as party leader and prime minister in 1976. Inheriting a severely troubled economy and a slender majority in Parliament, he depended on support from the Liberals and (after 1978) the Scottish Nationalist party (SNP). His government, destabilized by labor unrest and deserted by the SNP, fell to the Conservative onslaught led by Margaret Thatcher in 1979. He resigned as party leader in 1980. Callaghan became a life peer (and a member of the House of Lords) in 1987, when he was created baron of Cardiff.

An article from Funk & Wagnalls® New Encyclopedia. © 2006 World Almanac Education Group. A WRC Media Company. All rights reserved. Except as otherwise permitted by written agreement, uses of the work inconsistent with U.S. and applicable foreign copyright and related laws are prohibited.

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ENCYCLOPEDIA:

CALLAGHAN, James, Baron

CALLAGHAN, James, Baron. (1912–2005), British prime minister (1976–79), born in Portsmouth. Callaghan was chancellor of the Exchequer (1964–67), home secretary (1967–70), and foreign secretary . . .

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