Hon . Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman ( 7 September 1836-22 April 1908 ) was a Scottish - born British Liberal statesman . He served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 5 December 1905 until resigning because of bad health on 3 April 1908 . Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman , GCB ( 7 September 1836 -- 22 April 1908 ) was a British Liberal Party statesman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1905 to 1908 .