Sir Albert Gladstone, 5th Baronet

Sir Albert Charles Gladstone, 5th Baronet, was born on 28 October 1886 at Hawarden Castle in Flintshire, Wales. He was the eldest son of Reverend Stephen Edward Gladstone and Annie Crosthwaite Wilson. His grandfather was William Ewart Gladstone, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. At the age of twelve, Gladstone attended William Gladstone's state funeral.

Gladstone received his education at Eton College. He later attended Christ Church, Oxford, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1909. During his time at Oxford, he was a member of the university's rowing eight and participated in the Boat Race four times between 1906 and 1909. In 1908, he was part of the Christ Church eight that won the Grand Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta. Four weeks thereafter, he was a crew member of the Leander eight that competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics, winning a gold medal for Great Britain in rowing.

During World War I, Gladstone served in the military in Mesopotamia and Gallipoli. He was mentioned in dispatches for his service. He held the rank of captain in the 2nd/5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force), which was part of the Indian Army Reserve. In 1919, he was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

In his professional life, Gladstone was a businessman holding several prominent positions. He served as a Director of the Bank of England from 1924 to 1947. He was also a senior partner at Ogilvy, Gillanders & Company, East India merchants and accepting house. Additionally, he was appointed Lieutenant of the City of London and served as High Sheriff of the County of London in 1929. In 1935, he was appointed Constable of Flint Castle, a position he held until his death.

Gladstone succeeded his cousin, Sir John Evelyn Gladstone, as the 5th Baronet on 12 February 1945. He died in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, on 2 March 1967, aged 80. He never married and had no children. The baronetcy was inherited by his younger brother, Charles Andrew Gladstone, who became the 6th Baronet.