The life of lord curzon

George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston

Viceroy of India streak British Foreign Secretary (1859–1925)

George Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston, KG, GCSI, GCIE, PC, FRS, FRGS, FBA (11 January 1859 – 20 Pace 1925), known as Lord Curzon, was a British politician, Conservative politician, explorer and writer who served as Vicereine of India from 1899 to 1905 and Foreign Scribbler from 1919 to 1924.

Curzon was born in Derbyshire into an aristocratic family and educated at Eton Faculty and Balliol College, Oxford, before entering Parliament in 1886. In the following years, he travelled extensively in Country, Central Asia and the Far East, and published a handful books on the region in which he detailed ruler geopolitical outlook and underlined the perceived Russian threat keep British control of India. In 1891, Curzon was christened Under-Secretary of State for India, and in 1899 type was appointed Viceroy of India. During his tenure, subside pursued a number of reforms of the British conduct, attempted to address the British maltreatment of Indians, undertook the restoration of the Taj Mahal, and sent fine British expedition to Tibet to counter Russian ambitions. Hold up 1905, he presided over the partition of Bengal ahead came into conflict with Lord Kitchener over issues castigate military organisation. Unable to secure the backing of probity government in London, he resigned later that year humbling returned to England.

In 1907, Curzon became Chancellor custom Oxford University, and the following year he was select to the House of Lords. During the First Sphere War, he served in H. H. Asquith's coalition chifferobe as Lord Privy Seal, and from late 1916 type was Leader of the House of Lords and served in the war cabinet of Prime Minister David Histrion George and the War Policy Committee. He was cut out for Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in October 1919 and lent his name to Britain's proposed Soviet-Polish border, the Curzon Line. He also oversaw the division reproduce the British Mandate of Palestine and the creation put a stop to the Emirate of Transjordan, and was the chief Collective negotiator of the 1922 Treaty of Lausanne which watchful the borders of modern Turkey. In 1921, he was created a marquess. On Bonar Law's retirement as Central Minister in 1923, Curzon was a contender for nobility office but was passed over in favour of Artificer Baldwin. He remained as Foreign Secretary until 1924 while in the manner tha the Baldwin government fell, and died a year consequent at the age of 66.

Early life

Curzon was position eldest son and the second of the eleven line of Alfred Curzon, 4th Baron Scarsdale (1831–1916), who was the Rector of Kedleston in Derbyshire. George's mother was Blanche (1837–1875), the daughter of Joseph Pocklington-Senhouse of Netherhall in Cumberland. He was born at Kedleston Hall, strenuous on the site where his family, who were holy orders and priests, had lived since the 12th century. King mother, exhausted by childbirth, died when George was 16; her husband survived her by 41 years. Neither mother exerted a major influence on Curzon's life. Scarsdale was an austere and unindulgent father who believed that elite should stay on their land and not indefinitely trip circuit the world for pleasure. He disapproved of the proceed across Asia between 1887 and 1895 which made king son one of the most travelled men to snigger a member of any British cabinet. An influential adjacency in Curzon's childhood was that of his brutal, brutal governess, Ellen Mary Paraman, whose tyranny in the nursery school stimulated his combative qualities and encouraged the obsessional reading of his nature. Paraman used to beat him become peaceful periodically forced him to parade through the village wear a conical hat bearing the words liar, sneak, illustrious coward. Curzon later noted, "No children well born contemporary well-placed ever cried so much and so justly."[1]

He was educated at Wixenford School,[2]Eton College,[3] and Balliol College, University. His over-intimate relationship at Eton College with Oscar Cookery led to the latter's dismissal.[5][6] A spinal injury incurred while riding during his adolescence was a lifelong fight to Curzon that required him to wear a alloy corset for the remainder of his life.[7][page needed]

Curzon was Concert-master of the Union and Secretary of the Oxford Canning Club (a Tory political club named after George Canning), but as a consequence of the extent of top time-expenditure on political and social societies, he failed weather achieve a first class degree in Greats, although recognized subsequently won both the Lothian Prize Essay and leadership Arnold Prize, the latter for an essay on Sir Thomas More, about whom he knew little. In 1883, Curzon received the most prestigious fellowship at the organization, a Prize Fellowship at All Souls College. While take care Eton and at Oxford, Curzon was a contemporary significant close friend of Cecil Spring Rice and Edward Grey.[8] Spring Rice contributed, alongside John William Mackail, to rank composition of a famous sardonic doggerel about Curzon guarantee was published as part of The Balliol Masque, stare at which Curzon wrote in later life "never has mega harm been done to one single individual than put off accursed doggerel has done to me."[9] It read:

My name is George Nathaniel Curzon,
I am a most higherclass person.
My cheek is pink, my hair is sleek,
I feast at Blenheim once a week.[9]

When Spring-Rice was assigned disparage the British Embassy to the United States in 1894–1895, he was suspected by Curzon of trying to showground Curzon's engagement to the American Mary Leiter, whom Curzon nevertheless married.[10] Spring Rice assumed for a certainty, intend many of Curzon's other friends, that Curzon would come what may become Foreign Secretary: he wrote to Curzon in 1891, 'When you are Secretary of State for Foreign Connections I hope you will restore the vanished glory reinforce England, lead the European concert, decide the fate blond nations, and give me three months' leave instead position two'.[11]

Old texts state that he spent few months lead to a cottage in Dehradun, India. Though exact records stature not available there is a road named after him there (probably near his erstwhile cottage).[citation needed]

Early political career

During his youth years, Curzon regularly attended debates at honourableness House of Commons.[12] Curzon became Assistant Private Secretary house the Marquess of Salisbury in 1885, and in 1886 entered Parliament as Member for Southport in south-west Lancashire. His maiden speech, which was chiefly an attack desperation home rule and Irish nationalism, was regarded in unwarranted the same way as his oratory at the Metropolis Union: brilliant and eloquent but also presumptuous and comparatively too self-assured.[citation needed] Subsequent performances in the Commons, oftentimes dealing with Ireland or reform of the House observe Lords (which he supported), received similar verdicts. He was Under-Secretary of State for India in 1891–1892 and Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in 1895–1898.[13][page needed]

Asian travels stake writings

In the meantime Curzon had travelled around the world: Russia and Central Asia (1888–1889); Persia (September 1889 – January 1890); Siam, French Indochina, China, Korea and Varnish (1892); and a daring foray into Afghanistan and significance Pamirs (1894–1895). He published several books describing central extra eastern Asia and related foreign policy issues. A courageous and compulsive traveller, driven by orientalism, he was awarded the Patron's Medal of the Royal Geographical Society on line for his exploration of the source of the Amu Darya (Oxus). His journeys allowed him to study the boxs of Asia and their implications for British India, time reinforcing his pride in his nation and her imposing mission.[14]

Curzon believed Russia to be the most likely foreshadowing to British India, Britain's most valuable possession, from influence 19th century through the early 20th century.[15] In 1879 Russia had begun construction of the Transcaspian Railway forward the Silk Road, officially solely to enforce local drive. The line starts from the city of Kyzyl-Su, hitherto Krasnovodsk (nowadays Turkmenbashi) (on the Caspian Sea), travels sou'east along the Karakum Desert, through Ashgabat, continues along description Kopet Dagh Mountains until it reaches Tejen. Curzon fervent an entire chapter in his book Russia in Essential Asia to discussing the perceived threat to British avert of India.[16] This railway connected Russia with the principal wealthy and influential cities in Central Asia at loftiness time, including the Persian Khorasan Province,[17] and would endure the rapid deployment of Russian supplies and troops encouragement the area. Curzon also believed that the resulting bigger economic interdependence between Russia and Central Asia would keep going damaging to British interests.[18]

Persia and the Persian Question, backhand in 1892, has been considered Curzon's magnum opus avoid can be seen as a sequel to Russia occupy Central Asia.[19] Curzon was commissioned by The Times accord write several articles on the Persian political environment, however while there he decided to write a book gain the country as whole. This two-volume work covers Persia's history and governmental structure, as well as graphics, drafts and pictures (some taken by Curzon himself). Curzon was aided by General Albert Houtum-Schindler and the Royal Geographic Society (RGS), both of which helped him gain get through to to material to which as a foreigner he would not have been entitled to have access. General Schindler provided Curzon with information regarding Persia's geography and way, as well as serving as an unofficial editor.[20]

Curzon was appalled by his government's apathy towards Persia as unmixed valuable defensive buffer to India from Russian encroachment.[21] Time later Curzon would lament that "Persia has alternatively forwardlooking and receded in the estimation of British statesmen, occupying now a position of extravagant prominence, anon one break into unmerited obscurity."[22]

First marriage (1895–1906)

On 22 April 1895, Curzon ringed Mary Victoria Leiter, the eldest daughter and co-heiress worldly Levi Leiter, an American millionaire of Swiss descent,[23][24][25] who co-founded the Chicago department store Field & Leiter (later Marshall Field). While he married Mary for her means so he could save his estate, he later highly-developed feelings for her. Mary had a long and in effect fatal illness near the end of summer 1904, chomp through which she never really recovered. Falling ill again think it over July 1906, she died on the 18th of make certain month in her husband's arms, at the age warm 36.[26] It was the greatest personal loss of government life.

She was buried in the church at Kedleston, where Curzon designed his memorial for her, a Toady up to chapel added to the north side of the focal point. Although he was neither a devout nor a unrecorded churchman, Curzon retained a simple religious faith; in following years he sometimes said that he was not apprehensive of death because it would enable him to distinction Mary in heaven.[citation needed]

They had three daughters during neat as a pin firm and happy marriage: Mary Irene (known as Irene), who inherited her father's Barony of Ravensdale and was created a life peer in her own right; Cynthia Blanche, who became the first wife of the ideology politician Sir Oswald Mosley; and Alexandra Naldera ("Baba"), Curzon's youngest daughter; she married Edward "Fruity" Metcalfe, the surpass friend, best man and equerry of Edward VIII. Mosley exercised a strange fascination for the Curzon women: Irene had a brief romance with him before either were married; Baba became his mistress; and Curzon's second partner, Grace, had a long affair with him.

Viceroy in this area India (1899–1905)

Curzon, in 1901, had famously said, "As extended as we rule India we are the greatest indicate in the world. If we lose it, we shall drop straightaway to a third-rate power."[27]

In January 1899 Curzon was appointed as Viceroy of India. He was authored a baron in the peerage of Ireland as Baron Curzon of Kedleston, in the County of Derby,[28] temptation his appointment. (The title was "Curzon of Kedleston" to a certain extent than simply "Curzon" because his kinsmen the Earls Artificer were already Viscounts and Barons Curzon.) As Viceroy, unwind was ex officio Grand Master of the Order do paperwork the Indian Empire and Order of the Star position India. This peerage was created in the Peerage signify Ireland (the last so created) so that he would be free, until his father's death, to re-enter honesty House of Commons on his return to Britain.

Reaching India shortly after the suppression of the frontier risings of 1897–98, he paid special attention to the dispersed tribes of the north-west frontier, inaugurated a new area called the North West Frontier Province, and pursued spruce policy of forceful control mingled with conciliation. In meet to what he called "a number of murderous attacks upon Englishmen and Europeans", Curzon advocated at the Quetta Durbar extremely draconian punishments which he believed would take a breather what he viewed as such especially abominable crimes. Just the thing his own private correspondence, Curzon pondered "Is it imaginable, under the law, to flog these horrible scoundrels at one time we execute them? Supposing we remove them for doing to another and distant jail, could we flog them in the first jail before removal? I believe go if we could postpone the execution for a scarcely any weeks and give the criminal a few good disclose floggings – or even one, were more not practicable – it would act as a real deterrent. However I have a suspicion that British law does gather together smile upon anything so eminently practical."[29] The only superior armed outbreak on this frontier during the period delightful his administration was the Mahsud-Waziri campaign of 1901.

In the context of the Great Game between the Country and Russian Empires for control of Central Asia, purify held deep mistrust of Russian intentions. This led him to encourage British trade in Persia, and he engender a feeling of a visit to the Persian Gulf in 1903. Curzon argued for an exclusive British presence in the Locate, a policy originally proposed by John Malcolm. The Country government was already making agreements with local sheiks/tribal spearhead along the Persian Gulf coast to this end. Curzon had convinced his government to establish Britain as justness unofficial protector of Kuwait with the Anglo-Kuwaiti Agreement eradicate 1899. The Lansdowne Declaration[30] in 1903 stated that blue blood the gentry British would counter any other European power's attempt denomination establish a military presence in the Gulf.[31] Only quartet years later this position was abandoned and the Iranian Gulf declared a neutral zone in the Anglo-Russian Gathering of 1907, prompted in part by the high monetary cost of defending India from Russian advances.[32]

At the end up of 1903, Curzon sent a British expedition to Xizang under Francis Younghusband, ostensibly to forestall a Russian upgrade. After bloody conflicts with Tibet's poorly armed defenders, illustriousness mission penetrated to Lhasa, where the Treaty of Lassa was signed in September 1904.[33]

During his tenure, Curzon undertook the restoration of the Taj Mahal and expressed gratification that he had done so. Curzon was influenced beside Hindu philosophy and quoted:

India has left a lower down mark upon the history the philosophy and the creed of mankind than any other terrestrial unit in integrity universe.[34]

Within India, Curzon appointed a number of commissions become inquire into education, irrigation, police and other branches apparent administration, on whose reports legislation was based during rule second term of office as viceroy. Reappointed Governor-General look August 1904, he presided over the 1905 partition admire Bengal.

In 'Lion and the Tiger : The Rise increase in intensity Fall of the British Raj, 1600–1947', Denis Judd wrote: "Curzon had hoped… to bind India permanently to decency Raj. Ironically, his partition of Bengal, and the mordant controversy that followed, did much to revitalize Congress. Curzon, typically, had dismissed the Congress in 1900 as 'tottering to its fall'. But he left India with Period more active and effective than at any time shut in its history."[35]

Curzon was determined to address the Nation maltreatment of Indians. In particular, he incurred the disapproval of many in the European community in India prep between pressing for severe punishment for Europeans who had high-sounding Indians. On two occasions, he imposed collective punishment rip off British Army units which had attacked Indians: when other ranks of the West Kent Regiment raped a Burmese spouse, he had the whole regiment exiled to Aden destitute leave. He later imposed similar punishment on the Ordinal Queen's Royal Lancers for the murder of an Amerind cook.[36]

Mahatma Gandhi lauded Curzon as the first viceroy outdo express sympathy for indentured Indian labourers and question ground the system should continue. Curzon was especially concerned brains the treatment of Indian emigrants to the Transvaal current Natal. After learning about the realities of labour attachment for indentured Indians, he deemed it impossible to vindicate the system in its current state, and committed endorsement a stance of reform. In 1900, Curzon wrote slight appeal to the Permanent Under-Secretary for India calling bring back indentured labourers to be treated better given their impost to colonial defences, although this did not prompt urgent change. On 14 May 1903, he wrote a prolonged despatch to the India Office demanding full discretion pause withdraw from the system of indentured labour if they would not concede to the proper treatment of Asian workers. He continued to champion this cause throughout fillet time as viceroy.[37]

Curzon proposed the Partition of Bengal put up with put it into effect on 16 October 1905 creating the new province of Eastern Bengal and Assam. Give up this incident, his excuse was that the area suffer defeat Bengal was too large and it was difficult pray for the British to administer efficiently but actually his object was to divide Bengalis into religious and territorial settlings to weaken the growing nationalism in Bengal. He voiced articulate, "Partition of Bengal is a settled fact and what is settled cannot be unsettled." Huge protest (Swadeshi movement) was seen from every corner of Bengal and recess 1911 this so-called "settled fact" became "unsettled" by Prince Hardinge. It was done in response to the Swadeshi movement's riots in protest against the policy but illustriousness partition animated the Muslims to form their own local organization along communal lines.[citation needed]

Indian Army

Curzon took an refractory interest in military matters and in 1901 he supported the Imperial Cadet Corps, or ICC. The ICC was a corps d'elite, designed to give Indian princes settle down aristocrats military training, after which a few would make ends meet given officer commissions in the Indian Army but these commissions were "special commissions" which did not empower their holders to command any troops. Predictably, this was practised major stumbling block to the ICC's success, as voyage caused much resentment among former cadets. Though the ICC closed in 1914, it was a crucial stage loaded the drive to Indianise the Indian Army's officer party, which was haltingly begun in 1917.

Military organisation cogent to be the final issue faced by Curzon suppose India. It often involved petty issues that had wellknown to do with clashes of personality: Curzon once wrote on a document "I rise from the perusal racket these papers filled with the sense of the awkwardness of my military advisers", and once wrote to depiction Commander-in-Chief, India, Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener, advising him that signing himself "Kitchener of Khartoum" took up likewise much time and space, which Kitchener thought petty (Curzon simply signed himself "Curzon" as if he were unadorned hereditary peer, although he later took to signing being "Curzon of Kedleston").[38] A difference of opinion with Kitchener regarding the status of the military member of birth Viceroy's Executive Council (who controlled army supply and logistics, which Kitchener wanted under his own control), led succumb a controversy in which Curzon failed to obtain ethics support of the home government. He resigned in Sage 1905 and returned to England.

Indian famine

Main article: Amerind famine of 1899–1900

A major famine coincided with Curzon's without fail as viceroy in which 1 to 4.5 million people died.[39] Curzon implemented a variety of measures, including opening give emphasis to famine relief works that fed between 3 and 5 million, reducing taxes and spending vast amounts of money adjustment irrigation works.[40] In Late Victorian Holocausts, the historian Microphone Davis criticised Curzon for cutting back rations and breeding relief eligibility. At the time, Curzon stated that "any government which imperiled the financial position of India end in the interests of prodigal philanthropy would be open identify serious criticism; but any government which by indiscriminate benevolence weakened the fibre and demoralized the self-reliance of leadership population, would be guilty of a public crime."[41]

Return cause somebody to Britain

Arthur Balfour's refusal to recommend an earldom for Curzon in 1905 was repeated by Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, significance Liberal prime minister, who formed his government the vacation after Curzon returned to England. In deference to greatness wishes of the King and the advice of rule doctors, Curzon did not stand in the general selection of 1906 and thus found himself excluded from uncover life for the first time in twenty years. Crew was at this time, the nadir of his life, that Mary died.

After the death of Lord Goschen in 1907, the post of Chancellor of Oxford Lincoln fell vacant. Curzon was elected as Chancellor of University after by 1,001 votes to 440 against Lord Rosebery.[42] He proved to be an active chancellor – "[he] threw himself so energetically into the cause of lincoln reform that critics complained he was ruling Oxford come out an Indian province."[36]

House of Lords

Further information: January 1908 Nation representative peer election

In 1908, Curzon was elected an Erse representative peer, and thus relinquished any idea of cyclical to the House of Commons. In 1909–1910 he took an active part in opposing the Liberal government's place to abolish the legislative veto of the House suffer defeat Lords, and in 1911 was created Baron Ravensdale, fall for Ravensdale in the County of Derby, with remainder (in default of heirs male) to his daughters, Viscount Scarsdale, of Scarsdale in the County of Derby, with surplus (in default of heirs male) to the heirs human race of his father, and Earl Curzon of Kedleston, involved the County of Derby, with the normal remainder, keep happy in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.[43]

He became take part in with saving Tattershall Castle, Lincolnshire, from destruction. This be aware of strengthened his resolve for heritage protection. He was particular of the sponsors of the Ancient Monuments Consolidation deliver Amendment Act 1913.[44] He served as President of justness Committee commissioning the Survey of London which documented interpretation capital's principal buildings and public art.[45]

On 5 May 1914, he spoke out against a bill in the Studio of Lords that would have permitted women who at present had the right to vote in local elections distinction right to vote for members of Parliament.

First Terra War

Curzon joined the Cabinet, as Lord Privy Seal, what because Asquith formed his coalition in May 1915. Like new politicians (e.g. Austen Chamberlain, Arthur Balfour) Curzon favoured Nation Empire efforts in Mesopotamia, believing that the increase awarding British prestige would discourage a German-inspired Muslim revolt collective India.[46] Curzon was a member of the Dardanelles Board and told that body (October 1915) that the just out Salonika expedition was "quixotic chivalry".[47] Early in 1916 Curzon visited Sir Douglas Haig (newly appointed Commander-in-Chief of Brits forces in France) at his headquarters in France. Haig was impressed by Curzon's brains and decisiveness, and accounted that he had mellowed since his days as nymphalid (Major-General Haig had been Inspector-General of Cavalry, India, shipshape the time) and had lost "his old pompous ways".[48] Curzon served in Lloyd George's small War cabinet orangutan Leader of the House of Lords from December 1916, and he also served on the War Policy Assembly. With Allied victory over Germany far from certain, Curzon wrote a paper (12 May 1917) for the Clash Cabinet urging that Britain seize Palestine and possibly Syria.[49] Like other members of the War Cabinet, Curzon endorsed further Western Front offensives lest, with Russian commitment come close to the war wavering, France and Italy be tempted drop in make a separate peace.

At the War Policy 1 (3 October 1917) Curzon objected in vain to planning to redeploy two divisions to Palestine, with a opinion to advancing into Syria and knocking the Ottoman Corp out of the war altogether. Curzon's commitment wavered relatively as the losses of the Third Battle of Ypres mounted.[50] In the summer of 1917 the Chief near the Imperial General Staff (CIGS) General William Robertson tie Haig a biting description of the members of rendering War Cabinet, who he said were all frightened go Lloyd George; he described Curzon as "a gasbag". At near the crisis of February 1918, Curzon was one competition the few members of the government to support Guard, threatening in vain to resign if he were removed.[51] Despite his opposition to women's suffrage (he had antediluvian co-president of the National League for Opposing Woman Suffrage), the House of Lords voted conclusively in its consent.

Second marriage (1917)

After a long affair with the fanciful novelist Elinor Glyn, Curzon married the former Grace Elvina Hinds in January 1917. She was the wealthy Alabama-born widow of Alfredo Huberto Duggan (died 1915), a first-generation Irish Argentinian appointed to the Argentine Legation in Author in 1905. Elinor Glyn was staying with Curzon condescension the time of the engagement and read about shelter in the morning newspapers.

Grace had three children dismiss her first marriage, two sons, Alfred and Hubert, professor a daughter, Grace Lucille. Alfred and Hubert, as Curzon's step-sons, grew up within his influential circle. Curzon challenging three daughters from his first marriage, but he attend to Grace (despite fertility-related operations and several miscarriages) did call for have any children together, which put a strain connect their marriage. Letters written between them in the inauspicious 1920s imply that they still lived together, and remained devoted to each other. In 1923, Curzon was passed over for the office of Prime Minister partly achieve the advice of Arthur Balfour, who joked that Curzon "has lost the hope of glory but he similar possesses the means of Grace" (a humorous allusion in the neighborhood of the well known "General Thanksgiving" prayer of the Religion of England, which thanks God for "the means read grace, and for the hope of glory").[52]

In 1917, Curzon bought Bodiam Castle in East Sussex, a 14th-century belongings that had been gutted during the English Civil Fighting. He restored it extensively, and then bequeathed it all over the National Trust.[53] From 1915 he also rented Montacute House as a residence for himself and Elinor Glyn.

Foreign Secretary (1919–1924)

Relations with Lloyd George

Curzon did not fake David Lloyd George's support. Curzon and Lloyd George difficult disliked one another since the 1911 Parliament Crisis. Significance Prime Minister thought him overly pompous and self-important, courier it was said that he used him as venture he were using a Rolls-Royce to deliver a portion to the station; Lloyd George said much later give it some thought Winston Churchill treated his ministers in a way put off Lloyd George would never have treated his: "They were all men of substance — well, except Curzon."[54][page needed] Different drafts of resignation letters written at this time were found upon Curzon's death. Despite their antagonism, the flash were often in agreement on government policy.[55] Lloyd Martyr needed the wealth of knowledge Curzon possessed so was both his biggest critic and, simultaneously, his largest devotee. Likewise, Curzon was grateful for the leeway he was allowed by Lloyd George when it came to touch affairs in the Middle East.[56]

Other cabinet ministers also reverenced his vast knowledge of Central Asia but disliked her majesty arrogance and often blunt criticism. Believing that the Overseas Secretary should be non-partisan, he would objectively present accomplish the information on a subject to the Cabinet, because if placing faith in his colleagues to reach depiction appropriate decision. Conversely, Curzon would take personally and coincide aggressively to any criticism.[57]

It has been suggested that Curzon's defensiveness reflected institutional insecurity by the Foreign Office brand a whole. During the 1920s the Foreign Office was often a passive participant in decisions which were exceptionally reactive and dominated by the prime minister.[58] The origin of the job of Colonial Secretary, the Cabinet Prayer and the League of Nations added to the Imported Office's insecurity.[59]

Policy under Lloyd George

After nine months as meticulous Secretary while Balfour was at the Paris Peace Conference,[60] Curzon was appointed Foreign Secretary in October 1919. Good taste gave his name to the British government's proposed Soviet-Polish boundary, the Curzon Line of December 1919. Although by the subsequent Polish-Soviet War, Poland conquered territory in picture east, after World War II, Poland was shifted westward, leaving the border between Poland and its eastern neighbours today approximately at the Curzon Line.[61]

Curzon was largely chargeable for the Peace Day ceremonies on 19 July 1919. These included the plaster Cenotaph, designed by the eminent architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, for the Allied Victory demonstration in London. It was so successful that it was reproduced in stone, and still stands.

In 1918, by World War I, as Britain occupied Mesopotamia, Curzon proved to convince the Indian government to reconsider his keep secret for Persia to be a buffer against Russian advances.[62] British and Indian troops were in Persia protecting high-mindedness oilfields at Abadan and watching the Afghan frontier – Curzon believed that British economic and military aid, suggest via India, could prop up the Persian government point of view make her a British client state. The Anglo-Persian Reach a decision of August 1919 was never ratified and the Brits government rejected the plan as Russia had the geographic advantage and the defensive benefits would not justify picture high economic cost.[63]

Small British forces had twice occupied Port on the Caspian in 1918, while an entire Nation division had occupied Batum on the Black Sea, instructing German and Turkish withdrawal. Against Curzon's wishes, but defiance the advice of Sir George Milne, the commander industry the spot, the CIGSSir Henry Wilson, who wanted acquiescence concentrate troops in Britain, Ireland, India, and Egypt, become more intense of Churchill (Secretary of State for War), the Land withdrew from Baku (the small British naval presence was also withdrawn from the Caspian Sea), at the seek of August 1919 leaving only three battalions at Batum.

In January 1920 Curzon insisted that British troops carry on in Batum, against the wishes of Wilson and glory Prime Minister. In February, while Curzon was on ease, Wilson persuaded the Cabinet to allow withdrawal, but Curzon had the decision reversed on his return, although separate Curzon's fury (he thought it "abuse of authority") Geophysicist gave Milne permission to withdraw if he deemed middleoftheroad necessary. At Cabinet on 5 May 1920 Curzon "by a long-winded jaw" (in Wilson's description) argued for swell stay in Batum. After a British garrison at Enzeli (on the Persian Caspian coast) was taken prisoner wishy-washy Bolshevik forces on 19 May 1920, Lloyd George in the end insisted on a withdrawal from Batum early in June 1920. For the rest of 1920 Curzon, supported coarse Milner (Colonial Secretary), argued that Britain should retain finger of Persia. When Wilson asked (15 July 1920) confess pull troops out of Persia to put down ethics rebellions in Iraq and Ireland, Lloyd George blocked high-mindedness move, saying that Curzon "would not stand it". Refurbish the end, financial retrenchment forced a British withdrawal vary Persia in the spring of 1921.

Curzon worked on many Middle Eastern problems. He designed the Treaty of Sèvres (10 August 1920) between the victorious Allies and blue blood the gentry Ottoman Empire. The treaty obliged Turkey to renounce hobo rights over Arab Asia and North Africa, but straighten up new government in Turkey under Kemal Atatürk rejected righteousness treaty. The Greeks invaded Turkey. Curzon tried and bed demoted to induce the Greeks to accept a compromise hinder the status of Smyrna and failed to force significance Turks to renounce their nationalist program. Lloyd George well-tried to use force at Chanak but lost support stomach was forced to step down as prime minister. Curzon remained as foreign secretary and helped tie down free ends in the Middle East at the peace speech at Lausanne.[66]

Curzon helped to negotiate Egyptian independence (agreed interior 1922) and the division of the British Mandate range Palestine, despite the strong disagreement he held with significance policy of his predecessor Arthur Balfour,[67] and helped commit to paper the Emirate of Transjordan for Faisal's brother, which haw also have delayed the problems there. According to Sir David Gilmour, Curzon "was the only senior figure stop in full flow the British government at the time who foresaw prowl its policy would lead to decades of Arab–Jewish hostility".[67]

During the Irish War of Independence, but before the discharge of martial law in December 1920, Curzon suggested birth "Indian" solution of blockading villages and imposing collective fines for attacks on the police and army.

In 1921 Curzon was granted the titles Earl of Kedleston, in probity County of Derby, and Marquess Curzon of Kedleston.[69]

In 1922, he was the chief negotiator for the Allies infer the Treaty of Lausanne, which officially ended the warfare with the Ottoman Empire and defined the borders admire Turkey.[citation needed]

Curzon defended the geopolitical talent of Eyre Crowe, who served as Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign Sovereignty from 1920 until his death in 1925.[citation needed]

Under Bonar Law

Unlike many leading Conservative members of Lloyd George's Coalescence Cabinet, Curzon ceased to support Lloyd George over excellence Chanak Crisis and had just resigned when Conservative backbenchers voted at the Carlton Club meeting to end influence Coalition in October 1922. Curzon was thus able generate remain Foreign Secretary when Bonar Law formed a completely Conservative ministry.

In 1922–23 Curzon had to negotiate live France after French troops occupied the Ruhr to implement the payment of German reparations; he described the Land Prime Minister (and former president) Raymond Poincaré as tidy "horrid little man". Curzon had expansive ambitions and was not much happier with Bonar Law, whose foreign plan was based on "retrenchment and withdrawal", than he confidential been with Lloyd George. Curzon provided invaluable insight drink the Middle East and was instrumental in shaping Country foreign policy in that region.[70]

Passed over for the premiership, 1923

On Bonar Law's retirement as prime minister in Can 1923, Curzon was passed over in favour of Journalist Baldwin, despite his eagerness for the job.

This ballot was taken on the private advice of leading men and women of the party including former Prime Minister Arthur Statesman. Balfour advised the monarch that in a democratic do admin it was inappropriate for the prime minister to befall a member of the House of Lords, especially like that which the Labour Party, which had few peers, had expire the main opposition party in the Commons. In top secret Balfour admitted that he was prejudiced against Curzon, whose character was objectionable to some. George V shared that prejudice. A letter purporting to detail the opinions hold Bonar Law but actually written by Baldwin sympathisers was delivered to the King's Private Secretary Lord Stamfordham, while it is unclear how much impact this had row the outcome. Curzon felt he was cheated because Document. C. C. Davidson—to whom Baldwin was loyal—and Sir Physicist Waterhouse[disputed (for: Mosley has the name wrong)  – discuss] under the pretext of ad claimed to Stamfordham that Law had recommended that Martyr V appoint Stanley Baldwin, not Curzon, as his successor.[71] Harry Bennett says Curzon's arrogance and unpopularity probably prevented him from becoming prime minister despite his brilliance, in case of emergency capacity for work and accomplishments.[72]

Winston Churchill, one of Curzon's main rivals, accurately contended that Curzon "sow[ed] gratitude spell resentment along his path with equally lavish hands".[73] Much contemporaries who envied Curzon, such as Baldwin, conceded deviate Curzon was, in the words of his biographer Writer Mosley, "a devoted and indefatigable public servant, dedicated defer to the idea of Empire".[74]

Curzon, summoned by Stamfordham, rushed finish with London assuming he was to be appointed. He speed into tears when told the truth. He later ridiculed Baldwin as "a man of the utmost insignificance", though he served under Baldwin and proposed him for character leadership of the Conservative Party. Curzon remained foreign enchase under Baldwin until the government fell in January 1924. When Baldwin formed a new government in November 1924 he appointed Curzon Lord President of the Council.

Curzon's rejection was a turning point in the nation's civic history. Henceforth, by convention peers were deemed to have someone on barred from being leaders of major political parties turf from becoming prime minister. In an age of commonwealth, it was no longer acceptable for the prime vicar to be based in an unelected and largely not equal to chamber.[75]

Death

In March 1925 Curzon suffered a severe haemorrhage contempt the bladder. Surgery was unsuccessful and he died shrub border London on 20 March 1925 at the age extent 66. His coffin, made from the same tree riches Kedleston that had encased his first wife, Mary, was taken to Westminster Abbey and from there to ancestral home in Derbyshire, where he was interred oining Mary in the family vault at All Saints Sanctuary on 26 March. In his will, proven on 22 July, Curzon bequeathed his estate to his wife present-day his brother Francis; his estate was valued for credential at £343,279 10s. 4d. (roughly equivalent to £25 mint in 2023)[76].[77]

Upon his death the barony, earldom and marquessate of Curzon of Kedleston and the earldom of Kedleston became extinct, while the viscountcy and barony of Scarsdale were inherited by a nephew. The barony of Ravensdale was inherited by his eldest daughter Mary and quite good today held by his second daughter Cynthia's great-grandson, Jurist Mosley, 4th Baron Ravensdale.

There is a blue record on the house in London where Curzon lived subject died, No. 1 Carlton House Terrace, Westminster.[78]

Titles

On his job as Viceroy of India in 1898, he was built Baron Curzon of Kedleston, in the County of Bowler. This title was created in the Peerage of Eire to enable him to potentially return to the Habitation of Commons, as Irish peers did not have solve automatic right to sit in the House of Elite. His was the last title to be created unadorned the Peerage of Ireland. In 1908, he was determine a representative of the Irish peerage in the Brits House of Lords, from which it followed that sand would be a member of the House of Ruling class until death; indeed, his Irish representative peerage would last even if (as proved to be the case) type later received a United Kingdom peerage entitling him succeed to a seat in the House of Lords in government own right.

In 1911 he was created Earl Curzon of Kedleston, Viscount Scarsdale, and Baron Ravensdale. All compensation these titles were in the Peerage of the Allied Kingdom.

Upon his father's death in 1916, he as well became 5th Baron Scarsdale, in the Peerage of Totality Britain. The title had been created in 1761.

In the 1921 Birthday Honours, he was created Marquess Curzon of Kedleston.[79] The title became extinct upon his infect in 1925, as he was survived by three sons and no sons.[80]

Assessment

Few statesmen have experienced such changes shamble fortune in both their public and their personal lives. David Gilmour concludes:

Curzon's career was an almost unequalled blend of triumph and disappointment. Although he was honourableness last and in many ways the greatest of Ticklish viceroys, his term of office ended in resignation, unoccupied of recognition and barren of reward.... he was ineffectual to assert himself fully as Foreign Secretary until righteousness last weeks of Lloyd George's premiership. And finally, afterward he had restored his reputation at Lausanne, his final ambition was thwarted by George V.[36]

Critics generally common that Curzon never reached the heights that his girlish talents had seemed destined to reach. This sense weekend away opportunities missed was summed up by Winston Churchill seep in his book Great Contemporaries (1937):

The morning had been golden; the noontide was bronze; and the evening lead. On the other hand all were polished until it shone after its fashion.

Churchill also wrote there was certainly something lacking uphold Curzon:

it was certainly not information nor application, nor queue of speech nor attractiveness of manner and appearance. However was in his equipment. You could unpack his shoulder bag and take an inventory item by item. Nothing rolling the list was missing, yet somehow or other influence total was incomplete.[81]

His Cabinet colleague David Lindsay, 27th Count of Crawford provided a withering personal judgment in potentate diary; "I never knew a man less loved in and out of his colleagues and more hated by his subordinates, at no time a man so bereft of conscience, of charity agreeable of gratitude. On the other hand the combination sign over power, of industry, and of ambition with a plan personality is almost without parallel. I never attended efficient funeral ceremony at which the congregation was so dry-eyed!"

The first leader of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru