joseph chamberlain (8 july 1836 – 2 july 1914), was an important businessman and a politician. he worked to improve education, and cities. he was a member of parliament from 1876 to 1914, and colonial secretary (controlling british colonies) from 1895 to 1903. his son austen won the nobel peace prize and another son neville was prime minister from 1937 to 1940.