Herbert Henry Asquith

Born in 1852 in Morley, Leeds, Herbert Henry Asquith (known to the public as H.H. Asquith) studied at school in Leeds before moving to London to continue his studies to become a lawyer. He was called to the Bar in 1876 and elected to parliament in 1886 as the Liberal MP for East Fife. Six years later he became home secretary and in 1908 when Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman resigned, Asquith took his place as Prime Minister.
While in power Asquith fought the House of Lords, who at the time could reject money bills or public legislation, and introduced the Parliament Bill which prevented them from stopping him put through the Old Age Pensions Act and People's budget. He also saw the introduction of National Insurance in 1911.

Asquith declared war against Germany on August 4th 1914.

On 6 November 1925 he was made a Freeman of Huddersfield.