An Original Signed Letter by Prime Minister William Gladstone. Letter dated 1878. The letter discusses with the principle William Lee, Professor of Ecclesiastical History at the University of Glasgow about a potential candidate (Alexander Crum) for a post at the University. A good letter during a gap when he was not Prime Minister. William Ewart Gladstone 1809 – 1898 was a British statesman and Liberal politician. In a career lasting over 60 years, he served for 12 years as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, spread over four terms beginning in 1868 and ending in 1894. He also served as Chancellor of the Exchequer four times, serving over 12 years. Provenance: From the family of autograph collector Emily Mary Rose Lee (1869-1949), wife of Colonel William Crawford Walton (1864-1937). Emily was the daughter of William Lee, Professor of Ecclesiastical History at the University of Glasgow from 1874 to 1886, and granddaughter of John Lee (1779-1859), Principal of Edinburgh University from 1840 to 1859.Size is 182mm x 112mm. Condition is good. Light folding creases.