Margaret Thatcher was Britain's first female prime minister (1979-1990). She was known for her tough uncompromising, conservative political views, and became dubbed as ‘The Iron Lady’. On the UK domestic front she instituted many free market reforms, implemented the controversial poll tax and reduced the power of trades unions. She was active also on the foreign front as she cultivated a close relationship with American President Donald Regan. Early life Margaret was born 13 October 1925 in Grantham. Her father owned a grocery store and was active in the local Methodist Church and Liberal politics. Margaret won a scholarship to the local Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School, where she became head-girl. She graduated in 1947 with second-class honours in chemistry. After graduating, she moved to Colchester, where she worked as a research chemist and long after in 1951 she was invited to stand as the Conservative candidate in the safe Labour seat of Dartford. Although she lost, s