Born in Italy, 1834 as John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton
Died: 1902

The title of Lord denotes the fact that he was the First Baron Acton of Aldenham.

British historian who taught at Cambridge, but ironically, was barred from attending there as a student because of his Catholicism.

Active in British politics from 1859, when he entered the House of Commons. In 1895, he took up the position of Regius Professor of Modern History at Cambridge University.

Famous quote:

Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Information obtained from the website of the Acton Institute (www.acton.org).