Famous For: Leading politician and Chancellor of the Exchequer instrumental in Britain joining the EU
Dennis Healey famously said being attacked by Lord Howe was "like being savaged by a dead sheep".
Trivia: Geoffrey Howe was the longest survivor of Margaret Thatcher's original 1979 cabinet.
Biography: One of the ministers most closely associated with the Conservative Thatcher years, Lord Howe was instrumental in creating Britain's current role in the EU.
Educated at Winchester College and Trinity Hall, Cambridge, Geoffrey Howe began his climb to power when appointed as a QC in 1965. The previous year he had found his first success at the ballot box, becoming Conservative MP for Bebbington.
With his political star in the ascendant his career continued to flourish, with his appointment as Solicitor general in 1970 swiftly followed by his appointment to the Department of Trade two years later.
A leading figure in the Conservative Opposition of the 1970's, he was brought to office with Margaret Thatcher's victory in the 1979 election, filling the role of Chancellor of the Exchequer for four years. Following his time balancing the country's books he was made Foreign Secretary, where his European enthusiasms could be actively engaged.
In later years he became Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the House of Commons. The same European enthusiasm which had developed during his time at the Foreign Office would ultimately lead to the end of his cabinet career, when in 1990 he dramatically resigned from the cabinet citing 'differences in European policy'. His infamous resignation speech in the House of Commons is credited by many to have precipitated Margaret Thatcher's fall from Office.
Retiring from the Commons in 1992, he was awarded a Life Peerage, becoming Baron Howe of Aberavon and he entered the House of Lords.
He is married to Lady Elspeth Howe - one of the first 'People's Peers'.
Moment of Glory: Changing the way Britain was run by masterminding the country's entry into the EU.
Off the Record: Division in the party over Europe led to a very public resignation.
