BBC NEWS | In Pictures | In pictures: the Gordon Brown story

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Wednesday, 27 June 2007, 11:06 GMT 12:06 UK

In pictures: the Gordon Brown story

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Born in 1951, Gordon Brown is the son of a Church of Scotland minister. He excels at school and sports but loses an eye in a rugby accident as a teenager.

Gordon Brown as a student

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Mr Brown goes to Edinburgh University at the age of 16, gaining a first-class honours degree in history. He is elected rector of the institution, aged 21.

Gordon Brown as a newly elected MP in 1983

Gordon Brown as a newly elected MP in 1983

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Mr Brown is elected an MP in 1983. He shares his House of Commons office with Tony Blair, beginning a relationship which will come to dominate British politics.

Tony Blair and Gordon Brown eating ice creams

Tony Blair and Gordon Brown eating ice creams

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Cooling off: the relationship between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown has been described as difficult since the two allegedly did a deal allowing Mr Blair to run for Labour leader in 1994.

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Mr Brown becomes chancellor after Labour's election win in 1997, going on to serve more than 10 years in the job. His first act is to make the Bank of England independent.

Gordon Brown's wedding

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Mr Brown marries his long-time girlfriend Sarah Macaulay, a public relations consultant, at his home in Fife in 2000.

The Brown family

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The Browns have two sons - John and Fraser. Their first child, Jennifer, died aged 10 days of a brain haemorrhage in 2002.

Bob Geldof with Gordon Brown

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Mr Brown has campaigned against poverty in the developing world, often appearing with musicians such as Bono and Bob Geldof (pictured).

Gordon Brown meeting UK troops in Basra

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In recent months, Mr Brown has broadened his duties, apparently in preparation for being PM. After months of speculation, Tony Blair announced his resignation.

Gordon Brown and Tony Blair shake hands

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Mr Brown is chosen by Labour MPs to be the party's leader. Thirteen years after his reported deal with Tony Blair, he is now prime minister.

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