Thatcher, Margaret (1925–)

Margaret Thatcher is considered by many to be one of the most influential women in politics. She gained a strong reputation in England and worldwide as the highest regarded politician in recent British history. She is the only female British prime minister and the longestserving British prime minister in the 20th century.

Margaret Thatcher was born in Grantham, England, as Margaret Hilda Roberts. Her parents, Alfred and Beatrice Roberts, were small business owners. Thatcher studied chemistry and law at Somerville College, Oxford University, and graduated in 1947. While at Oxford University she was elected president of the student Conservative Association.

In 1950, while in her mid-20s, she ran as a Conservative candidate for a Labour Party parliamentary seat. She was not elected, but she did gain national ...