Macmillan

The 20 Prime Ministers of the 20th Century
By Francis Beckett

Harold Macmillan (1894-1986, earl of Stockton 1984) Conservative politician, Prime Minister 1957-63. He repaired the rift between the USA and Britain created by Suez and secured for Britain co-operation on issues of nuclear defence. Paradoxically his success with the USA jeopardised his efforts to get Britain into the European Economic Community, for it was one of the reasons why de Gaulle vetoed Britain's application to join in 1963. After early successes at home as well as abroad (he acquired the nickname 'Supermac'), his party was returned with an increased majority in 1959. The later years of his administration were clouded by economic troubles, the EC veto and the Profumo scandal. But it was ill-health which caused him to resign in 1963. 


Francis Beckett is a freelance writer and journalist. His seven books include four biographies, of Clement Attlee, Aneurin Bevan, Laurence Olivier, and his own father, the Labour MP turned fascist leader John Beckett.