John Morley, 1st Viscount Morley of Blackburn (1838-1923), was a prominent British Liberal statesman, writer, and newspaper editor. Born in Blackburn, Lancashire, Morley began his career as a journalist and editor, working for the Pall Mall Gazette. He entered politics as a Member of Parliament for the Liberal Party in 1883. Throughout his political career, Morley held several important positions, including Chief Secretary for Ireland, Secretary of State for India, and Lord President of the Council. In his later years, Morley played a significant role in the passage of the Parliament Act 1911, which curtailed the powers of the House of Lords. However, he resigned from the Liberal cabinet in 1914 due to his opposition to British entry into World War I as an ally of Russia. In his memoirs, titled "Recollections," Morley expressed his thoughts on old and new liberalism, criticizing the policies of the Liberal Party in power at the time. At the age of 84, Lord Morley passed away from heart failure at his house in Flowermead, Wimbledon Park, south London, on September 23, 1923, the day the viscountcy was abolished. His remains were interred in Putney Vale Cemetery after being cremated at Golders Green Crematorium.