He sparked a row over immigration when he told asylum seekers from Afghanistan and Kosovo to "get back home" and start rebuilding their countries.
He caused more furores when he urged people from ethnic minorities to develop a "sense of belonging" in Britain and told them to speak English at home.
The home secretary announced his intention to ease the laws covering cannabis and tried to allay police anger over his attempts to drive through police service reform by telling officers he had made mistakes.
Mr Blunkett, the UK's first blind cabinet minister, became one of the most recognisable figures in British politics thanks to his guide dog, Lucy, who accompanies him even when he speaks at the despatch box.
A graduate of Shrewsbury Technical College, Sheffield Richmond College of Further Education, Sheffield University and Huddersfield College of Education, Mr Blunkett took over Labour's education brief in 1994.
He proved a tough education secretary, ready to take on teacher unions and ensure basic standards of literacy and numeracy. He won more money for education and reduced class sizes, but charging students tuition fees proved unpopular.