Sir James Bryce, KCMG (10 June 1838 – 26 November 1923) was a British historian, author, and politician. He served in the House of Commons from 1880 to 1885 as a member of the Liberal Party. Sir James Bryce has been called "one of the most influential historians of the 19th century." Sir James Bryce was born in Scotland in 1838, the son of Sir William Bryce, a civil servant in India. Sir William was later Vice-President of the Board of Control for India
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Sir William died when Sir James was only 12 years old. Sir James attended Rugby School then went on to study at Balliol College, Oxford University. At Oxford he gained a first class honours degree in Classics in 1858 followed by a second class honours degree in Mathematics in 1860.
Sir James then studied law at New College, Oxford but did not complete his studies because he found them too hard. Sir James went on to study history at Christ Church, Oxford where he earned his Master's degree in 1862 and was elected to membership of the Oxford Union Society. Sir James married Elisabeth Fraser in 1862 before going on to serve as an officer in the 12th Royal Lancers between 1861 and 1866.
Sir James went on to serve as Chief Commissioner of Punjab between 1885 and 1888 where he oversaw several important reforms including the introduction of primary education for all children under thirteen years old and land reforms that led to increased agricultural productivity. Sir James served as Home Secretary under Gladstone between 1886 and 1892 where he introduced major changes to local government including compulsory education laws which established what is today known as the state school system across England and Wales. Sir James also developed reforms regarding civil service examinations which helped increase levels of literacy across England and Wales which had previously been quite low.
Sir James served as President of the Royal Historical Society between 1893 and 1906 where his works were published including The History of Rome (1884), The Making of Modern Europe (1884), The History of England (1888–1902), History Of The American Republic (1902-1903), A History Of France (1897), The Modern Empires (1900) and History Of Britain (1905). Sir James also published over 1,000 newspaper articles during his life including many letters to newspapers including many letters written while serving as Home Secretary under Gladstone. His other published works include: Lectures On Liberty And Government (1891), A Diplomatic History Of The American Revolution (1899
