Benjamin Disraeli

Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield (1804 – 1881) was a politician and writer who twice served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Biography

Early life and marriage

Benjamin was born in London to Isaac and Maria D'Israeli. When he reached twelve, his father converted them to the Anglican Church from Judaism, and Benjamin later Anglicized his name from D'Israeli to Disraeli for his employment in Maples's law firm in 1821.

Before entering the House of Commons, Disraeli pursued his interest in literature and stock exchange. However, Benjamin soon found himself in debt. Despite his situation, Benjamin found his way into Parliament by 1837 as a member of the Conservative Party; there he forged his lifelong rivalry with William Gladstone.

In 1839, Benjamin married Mary Anne Lewis, a match that was presumed by many people, including Marry Anne herself, to have been motivated by financial rather than romantic reasons. Nevertheless, the couple grew to truly love one another over the years and remained happily bound for life, with Mary regularly calling him the affectionate nickname "Dizzy".

Aiding the Assassins

Disraeli arguing with Gladstone over the Corrupt Practices Act

During his first term as Prime Minister in 1868, Benjamin introduced the Corrupt Practices Act which was meant to end electoral bribery. Wishing to maintain its grasp on London, the British Rite of the Templar Order plotted to kill Benjamin to stall the implementation of the act indefinitely and allow its favored candidate, Gladstone, to become Prime Minister. While Gladstone gave precedent to domestic issues, Disraeli was a staunch and self-styled imperialist.

The Templar James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan hired men to kill Benjamin, although the plot was foiled by the Assassin Jacob Frye. After learning of the plot from a member of the Templar-affiliated gang, the Blighters, Jacob infiltrated Benjamin's carriage pretending to be his bodyguard. Though Benjamin was suspicious, his wife Mary Anne allowed Jacob to speak. A gunshot interrupted their conversation and Jacob defended the Disraelis from their Blighter attackers.

While Jacob was busy with the attackers, more Blighters arrived and hijacked Benjamin's carriage. After Jacob managed to rescue them, Benjamin voiced his opinion that Gladstone was the one responsible for the attacks and stormed into Downing Street, vowing to get even with his hated rival.

Benjamin and Mary Anne in the train hideout

Benjamin and his wife were later invited by Jacob and his twin sister Evie to their train hideout to request invitations for the ball at Buckingham Palace, to which Mary Anne sadly admitted that none were available. Benjamin said that if Gladstone were in attendance, he'd give Jacob his invitation card. However, Evie suggested that instead Jacob steal the Gladstones' invitations. Benjamin and his wife, delighted at the prospect of humiliating Gladstone, then gladly provided them with the couple's address.

Benjamin later became embroiled in a Templar plot to bomb Parliament. He was held hostage by the Templar leader, but was thankfully saved by the Frye twins, who proceeded to defuse all the bombs around Parliament. Benjamin then brought the Frye twins to meet with the Queen, who properly thanked them for foiling the Templars.

Death

In 1872, Mary Anne died of stomach cancer, leaving Benjamin a devastated widower. Benjamin became Prime Minister for a second time in 1874, leading the opposition to majority once again and served for 6 years. During this time, he suffered gout and severe asthma and eventually died in 1881. Queen Victoria, with whom he became good friends over the course of their political tenure, was distraught by his passing but was forbidden from attending his funeral due to royal protocols. He was buried with his beloved wife at the Church of St. Michael and All Angels in Hughenden, Buckinghamshire.

Trivia

• Even if Jacob is detected while trying to approach Benjamin's carriage, neither he nor his wife Mary Anne appear to be alarmed.

Gallery

• 
  Disraeli meeting Jacob
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  Disraeli's carriage being attacked
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  Disraeli angered after the attempt on his life
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  Disraeli with the Frye twins and Queen Victoria

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Syndicate