Fisher, H. A. L. (1865-1940), was a British historian, politician, and educator. His most important historical work was his History of Europe (1935). As president of the Board of Education, he attempted in the 1918 Education Act to extend the national system of education by making part-time university education available to all children beyond secondary school. But financial difficulties prevented the measure from being put into effect. Herbert Albert Laurens Fisher was born in London on March 21, 1865. He died on April 18, 1940.