100 years
Margaret Thatcher was born on 13 October 1925
Here is a selection from our archives, giving insights into a long and very eventful political life
The Iron Lady: an online exhibition of documents, audio and film
Below is a link to 100 items from our archives. Some of them are familiar, others obscure. Some are of the first importance, others trivial. No apologies are made for the impressionistic nature of the selection.
Longevity and variety are the themes of this list. Those qualities help to explain why MT's political career was marked by a series of firsts which, taken together, render her achievement unique.
Looking back decades later, it is particularly notable that hers lasted a lot longer than present-day Commons careers, which generally begin earlier and are over sooner. The last Conservative Prime Minister was 44 when he left office: Mrs Thatcher had not even reached the cabinet by that age, nor given a single television interview as a frontbencher.
Editorial warning: This selection is designed for dipping. Anyone tempted to work through the entire list at a single sitting should seek medical advice.