Hugh Dalton

Hugh Dalton (1887-1962) was an eminent British politician and economist. He was born in Neath, Wales, and studied at Eton College and King’s College, Cambridge. Dalton entered politics in 1924 when he was elected as a Member of Parliament for Peckham. As a member of the Labour Party, he held several important roles in the mid-20th century Labour governments. Dalton served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1945 to 1947 under Prime Minister Clement Attlee. During his tenure, he implemented various economic policies, including the introduction of the British National Insurance scheme. Additionally, Dalton was a key figure in the creation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), playing a crucial role in shaping its economic policies. He resigned in 1947 due to a leaked budgetary tip incident, which resulted in criticism and his departure from the government. Despite this setback, Dalton continued to be an influential figure in Labour Party politics, serving as party chairman from 1951 to 1952. He is also the author of numerous books and publications on economic policy and international affairs. Hugh Dalton’s contributions to British politics and economics have had a lasting impact on the country’s governance and policy-making.