MargaretThatcher 　　born:13-10-1925 　　birthplace:Lincolnshire 　　ThedaughterofabusinessmanandmayorofGrantham,shewaseducatedatthelocalgrammarschool,andatOxford,wheresheobtainedadegreeinchemistry,andwaspresidentoftheConservativeAssociation. 　　Upongraduationsheworkedforfouryearsasaresearchchemist.Shethenqualifiedasabarrister,specialisingintaxationlaw,in1954. 　　AsMissMargaretRoberts,shestoodtwiceinparliamentaryelectionsfortheConservativeParty,beforebeingelected(afterhermarriage)totheHouseofCommons,in1959,asMemberforFinchley. 　　Thatcher'sfirstministerialappointmentcamein1961,andshequicklybecameafront-benchspokesmanforherparty,andmemberoftheShadowCabinet. 　　WhentheConservativesreturnedtoofficeinJune1970,shewasappointedsecretaryofstateforeducationandscience,becomingfamousas"Thatcher,milksnatcher",afterherabolitionoftheuniversalfreeschoolmilkscheme. 　　AftertheConservativeslostpowerin1974,shewasappointedtotheShadowCabinet,andwaselectedleaderoftheConservativePartyin1975. 　　InMay1979shebecameBritain'sfirstfemaleprimeminister,aftertheConservativesregainedpowerfromLabour. 　　Inpower,shewasbestknownforherdestructionofBritain’straditionalindustries,throughherattacksonlabourorganisationssuchastheminer’sunion,andforthemassiveprivatisationofsocialhousingandpublictransport.Alsoforherright-wing,pro-corporatealliancewithUSPresidentRegan. 　　SheresignedonNovember28,1990,afterherdisastrousattempttoimplementafixedratelocaltax(PollTax),andtodisenfranchisethosewhodidnotpayit,ledtohugepopularprotest,anddisapprovalfromwithinherparty. 　　In1992,shewasappointedtotheHouseofLords,asBaronessThatcherofKesteven. 　　Inthelastfewyearsshehasbeenoccupiedbywritingandbylucrativespeakingengagements.Herincreasinglypoorhealthhasforcedhertocutbackonpublicengagementsmorerecently