attlee began a career as a barrister after graduating from oxford. this lasted for two years. he then worked as manager of haileybury house in east london. attlee's work at the house inspired him to become a socialist. in 1907 he joined the fabian society. in 1908 he joined the independent labour party. in 1911, he was employed by the uk government. in 1919 attlee became mayor of stepney. he was elected to parliament in 1922 as the mp for limehouse., in 1935 he was elected leader of the labour party. from 1942 to 1945 he was deputy prime minister. attlee resigned as party leader after labour lost the 1955 election. he was made a member of the order of merit in 1951 and a knight of the garter in 1956. in 1958 he started the homosexual reform society with bertrand russell.