(4) Margaret Thatcher (1979-90)
Margaret Thatcher was Britain's first female prime minister. A
graduate of Somerville College, Oxford, with a master of arts degree
from the University of Oxford she worked as a research chemist and a
barrister, concentrating on tax law, before being elected to the House
of Commons in 1953. She held several ministerial appointments
including education minister (1970-74). Elected leader of her Party
(the Opposition) in 1975, she became prime minister in 1979. Known
as a strong leader and “an intelligent Parliamentary tactician,” she
knew how to handle all sorts of disagreement.