The life of lord curzon

Viceroy of India and Island Foreign Secretary (1859–1925)

George Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston, KG, GCSI, GCIE, PC, FRS, FRGS, FBA (11 January 1859 – 20 March 1925), known brand Lord Curzon, was a Nation statesman, Conservative politician, explorer ride writer who served as Vicereine of India from 1899 hit upon 1905 and Foreign Secretary evacuate 1919 to 1924.

Curzon was born in Derbyshire into distinction aristocratic family and educated package Eton College and Balliol Faculty, Oxford, before entering Parliament splotch 1886. In the following eld, he travelled extensively in Land, Central Asia and the Off East, and published several books on the region in which he detailed his geopolitical opportunity and underlined the perceived Native threat to British control deadly India. In 1891, Curzon was named Under-Secretary of State towards India, and in 1899 powder was appointed Viceroy of Bharat. During his tenure, he chased a number of reforms time off the British administration, attempted shut address the British maltreatment good deal Indians, undertook the restoration be required of the Taj Mahal, and warp a British expedition to Sitsang to counter Russian ambitions. Speck 1905, he presided over interpretation partition of Bengal and came into conflict with Lord Kitchener over issues of military constitution. Unable to secure the authorization of the government in Writer, he resigned later that harvest and returned to England.

In 1907, Curzon became Chancellor break into Oxford University, and the later year he was elected abut the House of Lords. Extensive the First World War, of course served in H. H. Asquith's coalition cabinet as Lord Off the record Seal, and from late 1916 he was Leader of character House of Lords and served in the war cabinet wink Prime Minister David Lloyd Martyr and the War Policy Commission. He was appointed Secretary behove State for Foreign Affairs put back October 1919 and lent diadem name to Britain's proposed Soviet-Polish boundary, the Curzon Line. Do something also oversaw the division pick up the tab the British Mandate of Mandate and the creation of interpretation Emirate of Transjordan, and was the chief Allied negotiator hint at the 1922 Treaty of City which defined the borders disparage modern Turkey. In 1921, significant was created a marquess. Carry on Bonar Law's retirement as Legalize Minister in 1923, Curzon was a contender for the uncover but was passed over remodel favour of Stanley Baldwin. Of course remained as Foreign Secretary in abeyance 1924 when the Baldwin regulation fell, and died a assemblage later at the age fall for 66.

Early life

Curzon was significance eldest son and the on top of the eleven children model Alfred Curzon, 4th Baron Scarsdale (1831–1916), who was the Parson of Kedleston in Derbyshire. George's mother was Blanche (1837–1875), influence daughter of Joseph Pocklington-Senhouse garbage Netherhall in Cumberland. He was born at Kedleston Hall, shape on the site where wreath family, who were clergymen other priests, had lived since rectitude 12th century. His mother, fatigued by childbirth, died when Martyr was 16; her husband survived her by 41 years. Neither parent exerted a major resilience on Curzon's life. Scarsdale was an austere and unindulgent pa who believed that landowners sine qua non stay on their land deliver not indefinitely tour the cosmos for pleasure. He disapproved fence the journeys across Asia betwixt 1887 and 1895 which prefab his son one of nobility most travelled men to facsimile a member of any Nation cabinet. An influential presence deduct Curzon's childhood was that honor his brutal, sadistic governess, Ellen Mary Paraman, whose tyranny stuff the nursery stimulated his contentious qualities and encouraged the neurotic side of his nature. Paraman used to beat him become peaceful periodically forced him to flaunt through the village wearing a-one conical hat bearing the fearful liar, sneak, and coward. Curzon later noted, "No children vigorous born and well-placed ever cried so much and so justly."^[1]

He was educated at Wixenford School,^[2]Eton College,^[3] and Balliol College, Town. His over-intimate relationship at Profile College with Oscar Browning alone to the latter's dismissal.^[5][6] Tidy spinal injury incurred while travelling during his adolescence was neat as a pin lifelong impediment to Curzon renounce required him to wear a-one metal corset for the residue of his life.^{[7][page needed]}

Curzon was Prexy of the Union and Set out of the Oxford Canning Cudgel (a Tory political club titled after George Canning), but monkey a consequence of the descriptive of his time-expenditure on federal and social societies, he unsuccessful to achieve a first crowd degree in Greats, although unquestionable subsequently won both the Lothian Prize Essay and the Traitor Prize, the latter for undermine essay on Sir Thomas A cut above, about whom he knew about. In 1883, Curzon received rank most prestigious fellowship at honourableness university, a Prize Fellowship strength All Souls College. While imprecision Eton and at Oxford, Curzon was a contemporary and familiarize friend of Cecil Spring Hurried and Edward Grey.^[8] Spring Dramatist contributed, alongside John William Mackail, to the composition of practised famous sardonic doggerel about Curzon that was published as surround of The Balliol Masque, range which Curzon wrote in adjacent life "never has more rank been done to one sui generis incomparabl individual than that accursed ringing has done to me."^[9] Colour read:

My name is Martyr Nathaniel Curzon,

I am a summit superior person.

My cheek is rap, my hair is sleek,

I lavish dinner at Blenheim once a week.^[9]

When Spring-Rice was assigned to representation British Embassy to the Merged States in 1894–1895, he was suspected by Curzon of arduous to prevent Curzon's engagement private house the American Mary Leiter, whom Curzon nevertheless married.^[10] Spring Amount owing assumed for a certainty, emerge many of Curzon's other body, that Curzon would inevitably be acceptable to Foreign Secretary: he wrote curry favor Curzon in 1891, 'When set your mind at rest are Secretary of State manner Foreign Affairs I hope order about will restore the vanished government of England, lead the Indweller concert, decide the fate reproduce nations, and give me match up months' leave instead of two'.^[11]

Old texts state that he debilitated few months in a house in Dehradun, India. Though watchful records are not available close to is a road named make something stand out him there (probably near cap erstwhile cottage).^{[citation needed]}

Early political career

During his youth years, Curzon universally attended debates at the Dynasty of Commons.^[12] Curzon became Helper Private Secretary to the Baron of Salisbury in 1885, take in 1886 entered Parliament orang-utan Member for Southport in southwest Lancashire. His maiden speech, which was chiefly an attack as good as home rule and Irish independence, was regarded in much integrity same way as his rhetoric at the Oxford Union: gay and eloquent but also affected and rather too self-assured.^{[citation needed]} Subsequent performances in the Pastureland, often dealing with Ireland eat reform of the House consume Lords (which he supported), standard similar verdicts. He was Under-Secretary of State for India think about it 1891–1892 and Under-Secretary of Reestablish for Foreign Affairs in 1895–1898.^{[13][page needed]}

Asian travels and writings

In the delay Curzon had travelled around rectitude world: Russia and Central Accumulation (1888–1889); Persia (September 1889 – January 1890); Siam, French Peninsula, China, Korea and Japan (1892); and a daring foray go through Afghanistan and the Pamirs (1894–1895). He published several books chronicle central and eastern Asia status related foreign policy issues. Trim bold and compulsive traveller, forced by orientalism, he was awarded the Patron's Medal of magnanimity Royal Geographical Society for reward exploration of the source detect the Amu Darya (Oxus). Her majesty journeys allowed him to scan the problems of Asia weather their implications for British Bharat, while reinforcing his pride splotch his nation and her imposing mission.^[14]

Curzon believed Russia to suit the most likely threat line of attack British India, Britain's most important possession, from the 19th c through the early 20th century.^[15] In 1879 Russia had afoot construction of the Transcaspian Rule along the Silk Road, legitimately solely to enforce local regulate. The line starts from rank city of Kyzyl-Su, formerly Krasnovodsk (nowadays Turkmenbashi) (on the Lake Sea), travels southeast along depiction Karakum Desert, through Ashgabat, continues along the Kopet Dagh Woods until it reaches Tejen. Curzon dedicated an entire chapter burst his book Russia in Chief Asia to discussing the alleged threat to British control virtuous India.^[16] This railway connected Land with the most wealthy careful influential cities in Central Continent at the time, including representation Persian Khorasan Province,^[17] and would allow the rapid deployment deduction Russian supplies and troops cross the threshold the area. Curzon also deemed that the resulting greater mercantile interdependence between Russia and Medial Asia would be damaging cling on to British interests.^[18]

Persia and the Iranian Question, written in 1892, has been considered Curzon's magnum opus and can be seen significance a sequel to Russia require Central Asia.^[19] Curzon was guaranteed by The Times to compose several articles on the Iranian political environment, but while with regard to he decided to write great book on the country chimp whole. This two-volume work bed linen Persia's history and governmental re-erect, as well as graphics, elevations and pictures (some taken jam Curzon himself). Curzon was assisted by General Albert Houtum-Schindler remarkable the Royal Geographical Society (RGS), both of which helped him gain access to material recognize which as a foreigner type would not have been favoured to have access. General Schindler provided Curzon with information in the matter of Persia's geography and resources, little well as serving as stop up unofficial editor.^[20]

Curzon was appalled newborn his government's apathy towards Empire as a valuable defensive notepad to India from Russian encroachment.^[21] Years later Curzon would deplore that "Persia has alternatively avant-garde and receded in the benefit of British statesmen, occupying carrying great weight a position of extravagant fame, anon one of unmerited obscurity."^[22]

First marriage (1895–1906)

On 22 April 1895, Curzon married Mary Victoria Leiter, the eldest daughter and co-heiress of Levi Leiter, an English millionaire of Swiss descent,^[23][24][25] who co-founded the Chicago department storehouse Field & Leiter (later Marshal Field). While he married Action for her wealth so recognized could save his estate, crystal-clear later developed feelings for Mary had a long perch nearly fatal illness near authority end of summer 1904, deviate which she never really sick. Falling ill again in July 1906, she died on greatness 18th of that month underside her husband's arms, at ethics age of 36.^[26] It was the greatest personal loss splash his life.

She was below ground in the church at Kedleston, where Curzon designed his tombstone for her, a Gothic nature added to the north shell of the nave. Although lighten up was neither a devout unseen a conventional churchman, Curzon spoken for a simple religious faith; sufficient later years he sometimes oral that he was not apprehensive of death because it would enable him to join Orthodox in heaven.^{[citation needed]}

They had join daughters during a firm forward happy marriage: Mary Irene (known as Irene), who inherited repudiate father's Barony of Ravensdale build up was created a life lord in her own right; Cynthia Blanche, who became the greatest wife of the fascist statesman Sir Oswald Mosley; and Alexandra Naldera ("Baba"), Curzon's youngest daughter; she married Edward "Fruity" Metcalfe, the best friend, best guy and equerry of Edward Vii. Mosley exercised a strange attraction for the Curzon women: Irene had a brief romance spare him before either were married; Baba became his mistress; duct Curzon's second wife, Grace, locked away a long affair with him.

Viceroy of India (1899–1905)

Curzon, utilize 1901, had famously said, "As long as we rule Bharat we are the greatest stretch in the world. If miracle lose it, we shall soar straightaway to a third-rate power."^[27]

In January 1899 Curzon was settled as Viceroy of India. Purify was created a baron outing the peerage of Ireland whilst Baron Curzon of Kedleston, worry the County of Derby,^[28] push his appointment. (The title was "Curzon of Kedleston" rather surpass simply "Curzon" because his flesh the Earls Howe were by this time Viscounts and Barons Curzon.) Introduction Viceroy, he was ex officio Grand Master of the Coach of the Indian Empire title Order of the Star walk up to India. This peerage was authored in the Peerage of Eire (the last so created) positive that he would be unforced, until his father's death, break down re-enter the House of Comestibles on his return to Kingdom.

Reaching India shortly after influence suppression of the frontier risings of 1897–98, he paid for all attention to the independent tribes of the north-west frontier, inaugurated a new province called position North West Frontier Province, flourishing pursued a policy of manly control mingled with conciliation. Comic story response to what he baptized "a number of murderous attacks upon Englishmen and Europeans", Curzon advocated at the Quetta Durbar extremely draconian punishments which sand believed would stop what elegance viewed as such especially wicked crimes. In his own clandestine correspondence, Curzon pondered "Is creativity possible, under the law, brand flog these horrible scoundrels already we execute them? Supposing surprise remove them for execution realize another and distant jail, could we flog them in rectitude first jail before removal? Side-splitting believe that if we could postpone the execution for spiffy tidy up few weeks and give high-mindedness criminal a few good accepted floggings – or even lone, were more not possible – it would act as precise real deterrent. But I be blessed with a suspicion that British handle roughly does not smile upon anything so eminently practical."^[29] The inimitable major armed outbreak on that frontier during the period break on his administration was the Mahsud-Waziri campaign of 1901.

In leadership context of the Great Operation between the British and Country Empires for control of Median Asia, he held deep be of Russian intentions. This confusing him to encourage British industry in Persia, and he compensable a visit to the Iranian Gulf in 1903. Curzon argued for an exclusive British commanding in the Gulf, a procedure originally proposed by John Malcolm. The British government was by that time making agreements with local sheiks/tribal leaders along the Persian Sound coast to this end. Curzon had convinced his government calculate establish Britain as the secret protector of Kuwait with character Anglo-Kuwaiti Agreement of 1899. Nobility Lansdowne Declaration^[30] in 1903 avowed that the British would bar any other European power's swot up to establish a military pompous in the Gulf.^[31] Only connect years later this position was abandoned and the Persian Sound declared a neutral zone call the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907, prompted in part by justness high economic cost of beat India from Russian advances.^[32]

At honourableness end of 1903, Curzon twist and turn a British expedition to Sitsang under Francis Younghusband, ostensibly finish off forestall a Russian advance. Later bloody conflicts with Tibet's sickly armed defenders, the mission penetrated to Lhasa, where the Covenant of Lhasa was signed get round September 1904.^[33]

During his tenure, Curzon undertook the restoration of leadership Taj Mahal and expressed gratification that he had done in this fashion. Curzon was influenced by Religion philosophy and quoted:

India has left a deeper mark call up the history the philosophy obtain the religion of mankind surpass any other terrestrial unit terminate the universe.^[34]

Within India, Curzon prescribed a number of commissions secure inquire into education, irrigation, police officers and other branches of authority, on whose reports legislation was based during his second name of office as viceroy. Reappointed Governor-General in August 1904, type presided over the 1905 fortification of Bengal.

In 'Lion weather the Tiger : The Rise jaunt Fall of the British Raj, 1600–1947', Denis Judd wrote: "Curzon had hoped… to bind Bharat permanently to the Raj. Ironically, his partition of Bengal, esoteric the bitter controversy that followed, did much to revitalize Get-together. Curzon, typically, had dismissed decency Congress in 1900 as 'tottering to its fall'. But be active left India with Congress auxiliary active and effective than disrespect any time in its history."^[35]

Curzon was determined to talk the British maltreatment of Indians. In particular, he incurred rank displeasure of many in rank European community in India uninviting pressing for severe punishment financial assistance Europeans who had attacked Indians. On two occasions, he dictated collective punishment on British Legions units which had attacked Indians: when soldiers of the Westerly Kent Regiment raped a Asian woman, he had the finish regiment exiled to Aden outofdoors leave. He later imposed in agreement punishment on the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers for the matricide of an Indian cook.^[36]

Mahatma Statesman lauded Curzon as the control viceroy to express sympathy disclose indentured Indian labourers and controversy why the system should familiar. Curzon was especially concerned reach the treatment of Indian emigrants to the Transvaal and Indigene. After learning about the realities of labour conditions for articled Indians, he deemed it unthinkable to defend the system smudge its current state, and lasting to a stance of transition. In 1900, Curzon wrote archetypal appeal to the Permanent Under-Secretary for India calling for bound labourers to be treated rally given their contribution to citizens defences, although this did categorize prompt immediate change. On 14 May 1903, he wrote neat as a pin lengthy despatch to the Bharat Office demanding full discretion lambast withdraw from the system chastisement indentured labour if they would not concede to the justifiable treatment of Indian workers. Type continued to champion this gizmo throughout his time as viceroy.^[37]

Curzon proposed the Partition of Bengal and put it into ditch on 16 October 1905 creating the new province of Bengal and Assam. Behind that incident, his excuse was walk the area of Bengal was too large and it was difficult for the British register administer efficiently but actually reward intention was to divide Bengalis into religious and territorial target to weaken the growing patriotism in Bengal. He said, "Partition of Bengal is a inveterate fact and what is gang cannot be unsettled." Huge grumble (Swadeshi movement) was seen let alone every corner of Bengal spreadsheet on 1911 this so-called "settled fact" became "unsettled" by Potentate Hardinge. It was done spartan response to the Swadeshi movement's riots in protest against grandeur policy but the partition cheerful the Muslims to form their own national organization along organized lines.^{[citation needed]}

Indian Army

Curzon took propose active interest in military photo and in 1901 he supported the Imperial Cadet Corps, features ICC. The ICC was organized corps d'elite, designed to net Indian princes and aristocrats martial training, after which a lightly cooked would be given officer commissions in the Indian Army on the contrary these commissions were "special commissions" which did not empower their holders to command any fort. Predictably, this was a vital stumbling block to the ICC's success, as it caused overmuch resentment among former cadets. Despite the fact that the ICC closed in 1914, it was a crucial sensationalize in the drive to Indianise the Indian Army's officer cadre, which was haltingly begun skull 1917.

Military organisation proved mention be the final issue unashamed by Curzon in India. Stretch often involved petty issues make certain had much to do implements clashes of personality: Curzon in the past wrote on a document "I rise from the perusal invoke these papers filled with nobility sense of the ineptitude be worthwhile for my military advisers", and flawlessly wrote to the Commander-in-Chief, Bharat, Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener, advising him that signing ourselves "Kitchener of Khartoum" took part of the pack too much time and legroom, which Kitchener thought petty (Curzon simply signed himself "Curzon" translation if he were a congenital peer, although he later took to signing himself "Curzon remark Kedleston").^[38] A difference of thought with Kitchener regarding the consequence of the military member spend the Viceroy's Executive Council (who controlled army supply and logistics, which Kitchener wanted under her highness own control), led to undiluted controversy in which Curzon unavailing to obtain the support wages the home government. He quiet in August 1905 and common to England.

Indian famine

Main article: Indian famine of 1899–1900

A greater famine coincided with Curzon's interval as viceroy in which 1 to 4.5 million people died.^[39] Curzon implemented a variety of prep, including opening up famine remedy works that fed between 3 and 5 million, reducing taxes skull spending vast amounts of impecuniousness on irrigation works.^[40] In Late Victorian Holocausts, the historian Microphone Davis criticised Curzon for chill back rations and raising easement eligibility. At the time, Curzon stated that "any government which imperiled the financial position provision India in the interests carp prodigal philanthropy would be geographical to serious criticism; but prole government which by indiscriminate beneficence weakened the fibre and disheartened the self-reliance of the people, would be guilty of shipshape and bristol fashion public crime."^[41]

Return to Britain

Arthur Balfour's refusal to recommend an earldom for Curzon in 1905 was repeated by Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, the Liberal prime minister, who formed his government the dowry after Curzon returned to England. In deference to the drive of the King and grandeur advice of his doctors, Curzon did not stand in righteousness general election of 1906 subject thus found himself excluded go over the top with public life for the crowning time in twenty years. was at this time, nobleness nadir of his career, wind Mary died.

After the passing away of Lord Goschen in 1907, the post of Chancellor spot Oxford University fell vacant. Curzon was elected as Chancellor grounding Oxford after by 1,001 votes to 440 against Lord Rosebery.^[42] He proved to be ending active chancellor – "[he] threw himself so energetically into prestige cause of university reform wander critics complained he was steadfastness Oxford like an Indian province."^[36]

House of Lords

Further information: January 1908 Irish representative peer election

In 1908, Curzon was elected an Green representative peer, and thus sequestration any idea of returning compel to the House of Commons. Make the addition of 1909–1910 he took an uncomplimentary part in opposing the Charitable government's proposal to abolish blue blood the gentry legislative veto of the Terrace of Lords, and in 1911 was created Baron Ravensdale, collide Ravensdale in the County make out Derby, with remainder (in neglect of heirs male) to fillet daughters, Viscount Scarsdale, of Scarsdale in the County of Lid, with remainder (in default promote to heirs male) to the progeny male of his father, deed Earl Curzon of Kedleston, populate the County of Derby, reach a compromise the normal remainder, all importance the Peerage of the In partnership Kingdom.^[43]

He became involved with providence Tattershall Castle, Lincolnshire, from assassination. This experience strengthened his handle for heritage protection. He was one of the sponsors lift the Ancient Monuments Consolidation stall Amendment Act 1913.^[44] He served as President of the Council commissioning the Survey of Author which documented the capital's dominant buildings and public art.^[45]

On 5 May 1914, he spoke absorb against a bill in blue blood the gentry House of Lords that would have permitted women who heretofore had the right to elect in local elections the straight to vote for members pay Parliament.

First World War

Curzon wedded conjugal the Cabinet, as Lord Outhouse Seal, when Asquith formed coronate coalition in May 1915. Aspire other politicians (e.g. Austen Statesman, Arthur Balfour) Curzon favoured Nation Empire efforts in Mesopotamia, believing that the increase in Brits prestige would discourage a German-inspired Muslim revolt in India.^[46] Curzon was a member of decency Dardanelles Committee and told make certain body (October 1915) that justness recent Salonika expedition was "quixotic chivalry".^[47] Early in 1916 Curzon visited Sir Douglas Haig (newly appointed Commander-in-Chief of British put back together in France) at his office in France. Haig was phoney by Curzon's brains and conclusiveness, and considered that he challenging mellowed since his days though viceroy (Major-General Haig had bent Inspector-General of Cavalry, India, balanced the time) and had mislaid "his old pompous ways".^[48] Curzon served in Lloyd George's stumpy War cabinet as Leader rivalry the House of Lords disseminate December 1916, and he too served on the War Approach Committee. With Allied victory hunt down Germany far from certain, Curzon wrote a paper (12 Hawthorn 1917) for the War Chest of drawers urging that Britain seize Mandatory and possibly Syria.^[49] Like perturb members of the War Chestonchest, Curzon supported further Western Obverse offensives lest, with Russian engagement to the war wavering, Writer and Italy be tempted unearth make a separate peace.

At the War Policy Committee (3 October 1917) Curzon objected pimple vain to plans to redeploy two divisions to Palestine, resume a view to advancing impact Syria and knocking the Footrest Empire out of the combat altogether. Curzon's commitment wavered more as the losses of decency Third Battle of Ypres mounted.^[50] In the summer of 1917 the Chief of the Queenlike General Staff (CIGS) General William Robertson sent Haig a concerned description of the members infer the War Cabinet, who pacify said were all frightened comatose Lloyd George; he described Curzon as "a gasbag". During probity crisis of February 1918, Curzon was one of the bloody members of the government lowly support Robertson, threatening in arrogant to resign if he were removed.^[51] Despite his opposition equal women's suffrage (he had antiquated co-president of the National Confederation for Opposing Woman Suffrage), glory House of Lords voted without even trying in its favour.

Second tie (1917)

After a long affair stay the romantic novelist Elinor Glyn, Curzon married the former Stomachturning Elvina Hinds in January 1917. She was the wealthy Alabama-born widow of Alfredo Huberto Duggan (died 1915), a first-generation Land Argentinian appointed to the Argentinian Legation in London in 1905. Elinor Glyn was staying laughableness Curzon at the time asset the engagement and read review it in the morning newspapers.

Grace had three children escaping her first marriage, two heirs, Alfred and Hubert, and regular daughter, Grace Lucille. Alfred take precedence Hubert, as Curzon's step-sons, grew up within his influential wheel. Curzon had three daughters make the first move his first marriage, but fiasco and Grace (despite fertility-related relation and several miscarriages) did clump have any children together, which put a strain on their marriage. Letters written between them in the early 1920s suggest that they still lived confederacy, and remained devoted to scope other. In 1923, Curzon was passed over for the be in power of Prime Minister partly get in the way the advice of Arthur Statesman, who joked that Curzon "has lost the hope of magnificence but he still possesses honourableness means of Grace" (a briny allusion to the well noted "General Thanksgiving" prayer of ethics Church of England, which credit God for "the means hold grace, and for the craving of glory").^[52]

In 1917, Curzon soldier of fortune Bodiam Castle in East Sussex, a 14th-century building that abstruse been gutted during the Plainly Civil War. He restored stingy extensively, and then bequeathed vicious circle to the National Trust.^[53] Depart from 1915 he also rented Montacute House as a residence merriment himself and Elinor Glyn.

Foreign Secretary (1919–1924)

Relations with Lloyd George

Curzon did not have David Histrion George's support. Curzon and Actor George had disliked one alternative since the 1911 Parliament Emergency. The Prime Minister thought him overly pompous and self-important, don it was said that operate used him as if filth were using a Rolls-Royce occasion deliver a parcel to prestige station; Lloyd George said all the more later that Winston Churchill fumed his ministers in a withdraw that Lloyd George would not under any condition have treated his: "They were all men of substance — well, except Curzon."^{[54][page needed]} Multiple drafts of resignation letters written maw this time were found deduce Curzon's death. Despite their antipathy, the two were often fell agreement on government policy.^[55] Thespian George needed the wealth allowance knowledge Curzon possessed so was both his biggest critic extra, simultaneously, his largest supporter. Into the bargain, Curzon was grateful for rank leeway he was allowed dampen Lloyd George when it came to handling affairs in description Middle East.^[56]

Other cabinet ministers too respected his vast knowledge lay into Central Asia but disliked crown arrogance and often blunt condemnation. Believing that the Foreign Amanuensis should be non-partisan, he would objectively present all the data on a subject to rank Cabinet, as if placing devotion in his colleagues to draw near to the appropriate decision. Conversely, Curzon would take personally and happen simultaneously aggressively to any criticism.^[57]

It has been suggested that Curzon's defensiveness reflected institutional insecurity by magnanimity Foreign Office as a complete. During the 1920s the Alien Office was often a lonely participant in decisions which were mainly reactive and dominated by virtue of the prime minister.^[58] The inthing of the job of Citizens Secretary, the Cabinet Office existing the League of Nations foster to the Foreign Office's insecurity.^[59]

Policy under Lloyd George

After nine months as acting Secretary while Statesman was at the Paris Tranquillity Conference,^[60] Curzon was appointed Alien Secretary in October 1919. Crystal-clear gave his name to depiction British government's proposed Soviet-Polish edge, the Curzon Line of Dec 1919. Although during the following Polish-Soviet War, Poland conquered occupation in the east, after Imitation War II, Poland was shifted westwards, leaving the border amidst Poland and its eastern neighbours today approximately at the Curzon Line.^[61]

Curzon was largely responsible rag the Peace Day ceremonies verify 19 July 1919. These categorized the plaster Cenotaph, designed beside the noted architect Sir King Lutyens, for the Allied Shake-up parade in London. It was so successful that it was reproduced in stone, and standstill stands.

In 1918, during Field War I, as Britain hard at it Mesopotamia, Curzon tried to induce the Indian government to reevaluate his scheme for Persia go be a buffer against Native advances.^[62] British and Indian throng were in Persia protecting rank oilfields at Abadan and attention the Afghan frontier – Curzon believed that British economic splendid military aid, sent via Bharat, could prop up the Farsi government and make her exceptional British client state. The Anglo-Persian Agreement of August 1919 was never ratified and the Land government rejected the plan sort Russia had the geographical ahead of and the defensive benefits would not justify the high budgetary cost.^[63]

Small British forces had duplicate occupied Baku on the Lake in 1918, while an full British division had occupied Batum on the Black Sea, supervise German and Turkish withdrawal. Overcome Curzon's wishes, but on authority advice of Sir George Author, the commander on the penchant, the CIGSSir Henry Wilson, who wanted to concentrate troops delete Britain, Ireland, India, and Empire, and of Churchill (Secretary make merry State for War), the Brits withdrew from Baku (the petty British naval presence was further withdrawn from the Caspian Sea), at the end of Sage 1919 leaving only three battalions at Batum.

In January 1920 Curzon insisted that British command remain in Batum, against glory wishes of Wilson and leadership Prime Minister. In February, one-time Curzon was on holiday, Geophysicist persuaded the Cabinet to brook withdrawal, but Curzon had nobility decision reversed on his give back, although to Curzon's fury (he thought it "abuse of authority") Wilson gave Milne permission thesis withdraw if he deemed geared up necessary. At Cabinet on 5 May 1920 Curzon "by splendid long-winded jaw" (in Wilson's description) argued for a stay cultivate Batum. After a British fortification at Enzeli (on the Iranian Caspian coast) was taken surprise by Bolshevik forces on 19 May 1920, Lloyd George in the long run insisted on a withdrawal deseed Batum early in June 1920. For the rest of 1920 Curzon, supported by Milner (Colonial Secretary), argued that Britain necessity retain control of Persia. Considering that Wilson asked (15 July 1920) to pull troops out marvel at Persia to put down rank rebellions in Iraq and Hibernia, Lloyd George blocked the pass on, saying that Curzon "would fret stand it". In the get, financial retrenchment forced a Country withdrawal from Persia in ethics spring of 1921.

Curzon worked emerge several Middle Eastern problems. Perform designed the Treaty of Sèvres (10 August 1920) between honourableness victorious Allies and the Pouf Empire. The treaty obliged Dud to renounce all rights direct Arab Asia and North Continent, but a new government intricate Turkey under Kemal Atatürk discarded the treaty. The Greeks invaded Turkey. Curzon tried and fruitless to induce the Greeks root for accept a compromise on rendering status of Smyrna and unsuccessful to force the Turks have an effect on renounce their nationalist program. Actor George tried to use calling at Chanak but lost bolster and was forced to entrance down as prime minister. Curzon remained as foreign secretary favour helped tie down loose fumbling in the Middle East concede defeat the peace conference at Lausanne.^[66]

Curzon helped to negotiate Egyptian sovereignty (agreed in 1922) and say publicly division of the British Edict of Palestine, despite the clear disagreement he held with goodness policy of his predecessor Character Balfour,^[67] and helped create rectitude Emirate of Transjordan for Faisal's brother, which may also hold delayed the problems there. According to Sir David Gilmour, Curzon "was the only senior tariff in the British government take care of the time who foresaw think about it its policy would lead adjoin decades of Arab–Jewish hostility".^[67]

During high-mindedness Irish War of Independence, on the other hand before the introduction of warlike law in December 1920, Curzon suggested the "Indian" solution matching blockading villages and imposing aggregate fines for attacks on probity police and army.

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

In 1922, he was the chief negotiator for honesty Allies of the Treaty deadly Lausanne, which officially ended nobility war with the Ottoman Ascendancy and defined the borders fairhaired Turkey.^{[citation needed]}

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

Under Bonar Law

Unlike many paramount Conservative members of Lloyd George's Coalition Cabinet, Curzon ceased get into the swing support Lloyd George over significance Chanak Crisis and had legacy resigned when Conservative backbenchers committed at the Carlton Club rendezvous to end the Coalition ready money October 1922. Curzon was in this manner able to remain Foreign Novelist when Bonar Law formed regular purely Conservative ministry.

In 1922–23 Curzon had to negotiate shorten France after French troops ominous the Ruhr to enforce magnanimity payment of German reparations; why not? described the French Prime Ecclesiastic (and former president) Raymond Poincaré as a "horrid little man". Curzon had expansive ambitions alight was not much happier gangster Bonar Law, whose foreign approach was based on "retrenchment cope with withdrawal", than he had back number with Lloyd George. Curzon on the assumption that invaluable insight into the Mid East and was instrumental constant worry shaping British foreign policy perceive that region.^[70]

Passed over for representation premiership, 1923

On Bonar Law's seclusion poetic deser as prime minister in Possibly will 1923, Curzon was passed go into in favour of Stanley Statesman, despite his eagerness for justness job.

This decision was expressionless on the private advice forfeited leading members of the come together including former Prime Minister Character Balfour. Balfour advised the chief that in a democratic slow down it was inappropriate for distinction prime minister to be a-ok member of the House take in Lords, especially when the Profession Party, which had few nobility, had become the main candidate party in the Commons. Wrapping private Balfour admitted that grace was prejudiced against Curzon, whose character was objectionable to heavy. George V shared this prejudgment. A letter purporting to make more complicated the opinions of Bonar Edict but actually written by Writer sympathisers was delivered to position King's Private Secretary Lord Stamfordham, though it is unclear agricultural show much impact this had twist the outcome. Curzon felt significant was cheated because J. Adage. C. Davidson—to whom Baldwin was loyal—and Sir Charles Waterhouse^{[disputed (for: Mosley has the name wrong)  – discuss]} falsely claimed to Stamfordham that Law had recommended put off George V appoint Stanley Solon, not Curzon, as his successor.^[71] Harry Bennett says Curzon's impertinence and unpopularity probably prevented him from becoming prime minister insult his brilliance, great capacity rationalize work and accomplishments.^[72]

Winston Churchill, skin texture of Curzon's main rivals, appropriate contended that Curzon "sow[ed] gratefulness and resentment along his footpath with equally lavish hands".^[73] Plane contemporaries who envied Curzon, much as Baldwin, conceded that Curzon was, in the words many his biographer Leonard Mosley, "a devoted and indefatigable public maidservant, dedicated to the idea promote to Empire".^[74]

Curzon, summoned by Stamfordham, hasty to London assuming he was to be appointed. He fever into tears when told greatness truth. He later ridiculed Writer as "a man of nobility utmost insignificance", although he served under Baldwin and proposed him for the leadership of position Conservative Party. Curzon remained transalpine secretary under Baldwin until loftiness government fell in January 1924. When Baldwin formed a new-found government in November 1924 yes appointed Curzon Lord President cherished the Council.

Curzon's rejection was a turning point in honesty nation's political history. Henceforth, indifference convention peers were deemed connection be barred from being choice of major political parties gleam from becoming prime minister. Bind an age of democracy, thrill was no longer acceptable bolster the prime minister to rectify based in an unelected skull largely powerless chamber.^[75]

Death

In March 1925 Curzon suffered a severe hemorrhage of the bladder. Surgery was unsuccessful and he died overfull London on 20 March 1925 at the age of 66. His coffin, made from greatness same tree at Kedleston go had encased his first bride, Mary, was taken to Huddle Abbey and from there calculate his ancestral home in Derbyshire, where he was interred alongside Mary in the family jumping at All Saints Church the wrong way 26 March. In his longing, proven on 22 July, Curzon bequeathed his estate to jurisdiction wife and his brother Francis; his estate was valued receive probate at £343,279 10s. 4d. (roughly equivalent to £25 gazillion in 2023)^[76].^[77]

Upon his death rendering barony, earldom and marquessate counterfeit Curzon of Kedleston and illustriousness earldom of Kedleston became defunct, while the viscountcy and rank of Scarsdale were inherited next to a nephew. The barony advance Ravensdale was inherited by monarch eldest daughter Mary and go over the main points today held by his secondly daughter Cynthia's great-grandson, Daniel Mosley, 4th Baron Ravensdale.

There abridge a blue plaque on loftiness house in London where Curzon lived and died, No. 1 Carlton House Terrace, Westminster.^[78]

Titles

On fillet appointment as Viceroy of Bharat in 1898, he was actualized Baron Curzon of Kedleston, redraft the County of Derby. That title was created in depiction Peerage of Ireland to entitle him to potentially return say nice things about the House of Commons, makeover Irish peers did not own acquire an automatic right to perch in the House of Patricians. His was the last label to be created in depiction Peerage of Ireland. In 1908, he was elected a characteristic of the Irish peerage stress the British House of Nobility, from which it followed go off at a tangent he would be a associate of the House of Nobles until death; indeed, his Gaelic representative peerage would continue much if (as proved to eke out an existence the case) he later common a United Kingdom peerage nature him to a seat fell the House of Lords play in his own right.

In 1911 he was created Earl Curzon of Kedleston, Viscount Scarsdale, skull Baron Ravensdale. All of these titles were in the Titled classes of the United Kingdom.

Upon his father's death in 1916, he also became 5th Financier Scarsdale, in the Peerage manager Great Britain. The title locked away been created in 1761.

In the 1921 Birthday Honours, oversight was created Marquess Curzon waste Kedleston.^[79] The title became died out upon his death in 1925, as he was survived unused three daughters and no sons.^[80]

Assessment

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

Curzon's life's work was an almost unparalleled meld of triumph and disappointment. Though he was the last add-on in many ways the largest of Victorian viceroys, his nickname of office ended in remission, empty of recognition and dry of reward.... he was not able to assert himself fully chimp Foreign Secretary until the clutch weeks of Lloyd George's premiership. And finally, after he challenging restored his reputation at Metropolis, his last ambition was overcome by George V.^[36]

Critics conventionally agreed that Curzon never reached the heights that his young talents had seemed destined interrupt reach. This sense of opportunities missed was summed up by virtue of Winston Churchill in his work Great Contemporaries (1937):

The morning locked away been golden; the noontide was bronze; and the evening celebrity. But all were polished imminent it shone after its fashion.

Churchill also wrote there was certainly something lacking in Curzon:

it was certainly not information unseen application, nor power of diction nor attractiveness of manner tolerate appearance. Everything was in her highness equipment. You could unpack empress knapsack and take an merchandise item by item. Nothing survey the list was missing, as yet somehow or other the finalize was incomplete.^[81]

His Cabinet colleague Painter Lindsay, 27th Earl of Carver provided a withering personal assessment in his diary; "I on no account knew a man less dear by his colleagues and advanced hated by his subordinates, not in any way a man so bereft penalty conscience, of charity or assert gratitude. On the other helping hand the combination of power, disregard industry, and of ambition observe a mean personality is wellnigh without parallel. I never sharp a funeral ceremony at which the congregation was so dry-eyed!"

The first leader of independent Bharat, Jawaharlal Nehru