Remarkable ascent of man who overcame blindness

Knowing the setbacks David Blunkett has overcome, many of his friends are surprised by his resignation.

But Blunkett has always been an enigma. His hobbies are walking and sailing, hardy pursuits, plus music and poetry: pastimes of a romantic.

He was born blind to Doris and Arthur, a working-class couple from Sheffield. His father died in an industrial accident. Aged four, Blunkett was sent to a boarding school for the blind. At 16, he followed his father into the Gas Board. He took A-levels at night school then went to Sheffield University. In 1969, he became a councillor in Sheffield and was leader by 1980. Entering Parliament in 1987, he rose through the ranks. This stood in contrast to his private life. In 1988, he divorced his wife Ruth with whom he has three sons. He said: "Many people marry for companionship. Only when they find love do they realise that they were not in love before."

Being a Cabinet minister was a lonely existence and when Mr Blunkett was introduced to Kimberly Quinn he became smitten. This love led him to take risks which ended the career of a man once tipped to be the first blind PM.