This article considers the usefulness of current models of leadership in change situations for an analysis of a historical case study of educational leadership. It uses the life of Sir George White (1842-1912) and his leadership in the field of education in Norwich and at the national level in the UK to examine the nature of effective leadership in a context of social change. The leadership traits of cultivating relationships, leading with a clear moral purpose, creating coherence through the communication of a strong vision, sharing knowledge and understanding the possibilities offered by change in a specific context, are used to frame the analysis of George White's leadership style. (Contains 40 notes.)