Born 150 years ago, Margaret Asquith (1864-1945) was a leading figure in social and political circles. In 1894 she married the future Prime Minister Herbert Asquith and became acquainted with many of the leading politicians and thinkers of the day. She was outspoken in her opinions and a strong supporter of the Liberal Party. Fiercely loyal towards her husband, she discussed his political decisions with him throughout his career until, in 1916, he appointed Lloyd George as War Secretary against her advice. By the end of 1916 Lloyd George had forced Asquith out of power and had taken over as Prime Minister. In later life Margaret focused on writing and published a number of successful books including an autobiography.

Margaret Emma Alice ('Margot') Asquith (née Tennant), Countess of Oxford and Asquith dressed as an Oriental Snake Charmer for the Diamond Jubilee Devonshire House Fancy Dress Ball, by Alexander Bassano, July 1897 - X18798 Margaret Emma Alice ('Margot') Asquith (née Tennant), Countess of Oxford and Asquith, by Howard Instead, 1920s - Ax24999 Margaret Emma Alice ('Margot') Asquith (née Tennant), Countess of Oxford and Asquith, by Baron Adolph de Meyer, circa 1911 - P166 Margaret Emma Alice ('Margot') Asquith (née Tennant), Countess of Oxford and Asquith with Lytton Strachey, by Lady Ottoline Morrell, 1923 - Ax141458 Margaret Emma Alice ('Margot') Asquith (née Tennant), Countess of Oxford and Asquith, by Claude Harris, 1930s - x35105 Margaret Emma Alice ('Margot') Asquith (née Tennant), Countess of Oxford and Asquith with her husband, Herbert Henry Asquith, 1st Earl of Oxford and Asquith, and her son, Anthony Asquith, by unknown photographer, 1928 - x30417 Margaret Emma Alice ('Margot') Asquith (née Tennant), Countess of Oxford and Asquith, by Hugh Cecil, circa 1930 - x27885 Margaret Emma Alice ('Margot') Asquith (née Tennant), Countess of Oxford and Asquith, by Howard Coster, 1937 - x24271 Margaret Emma Alice ('Margot') Asquith (née Tennant), Countess of Oxford and Asquith, by Elliott & Fry, 1939 - x90782