George Joachim Goschen, an English statesman, born in London in 1831. His father, who died in 1866, was a German merchant doing business in London. The son was educated at Rugby and afterward at Oriel college, Oxford, but did not graduate on account of his scruples against taking certain prescribed oaths. In 1853 he became a partner in his father's commercial house, and gave special attention to financial questions. In 1803 he published "The Theory of Foreign Exchanges,1' which is regarded as a standard work. In the same year he was returned to parliament for the city of London, and took a prominent part in the movement for the abolition of religious tests and for throwing the universities open to dissenters. In July, 1805, under the Palmer-ston ministry, he was made vice president of the board of control, in November, under Russell, a member of the privy council, and in January, 18G0, chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster. In June, with the other members of the ministry, he retired from office. On the accession of the Gladstone ministry in December, 1868, he entered the cabinet as president of the poor-law board, and in March, 1871, was made first lord of the admiralty.

He resigned with the other ministers in February, 1874.