Esme Howard: A Diplomatic Biography

by B. J. C. McKercher

Overview

Esme Howard (1863–1939), 1st Baron Howard of Penrith, was one of Britain's most important diplomats of the early part of this century. Linguistically and diplomatically gifted, he was an integral member of the small group of men who made and implemented British foreign policy between 1900 and 1930, a critical transitional period in Britain's history as a world power. The years between 1890 and 1903, which preceded Howard's major diplomatic achievements, are seen as crucial to his development, years when his marriage, his conversion to Catholicism, his foreign travel, and his work with London's working classes moulded the confidence and strengths of his later character. Thereafter, the book covers Howard's personal and historical importance as consul general in Crete, Budapest and Berne and at the 1919 Paris Peace Conference, and as ambassador at Madrid (1919–24) and Washington (1924–30). Made possible by the recent discovery of Howard's private papers, this well-informed and readable biography of a hitherto neglected figure will eliminate a major gap in the history of twentieth-century British foreign relations by giving Howard's career its first full treatment.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521025232
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/30/2006
Pages:	500
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 1.14(d)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements; 1. The making of a diplomat, 1863–1903; 2. Crete: consulship and civil war, 1903–1906; 3. Washington: Imperial affairs and arbitration, 1906–1908; 4. Budapest and Berne: prelude to the Great War, 1908–1913; 5. Stockholm: war and diplomacy in neutral northern Europe, 1913–1916; 6. Stockholm: diplomacy and war in neutral northern Europe, 1916–1918; 7. Paris: Poland, the Baltic States, and the Treaty of Versailles, 1918–1919; 8. Madrid: Anglo-Spanish relations, 1919–1924; 9. Washington redux: rebuilding good relations, 1924–1927; 10. Washington redux: meeting the American challenge, 1927–1930; Epilogue and conclusion 'A great ambassador'; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

It's hard for Americans to take seriously a biography of someone known as the first Baron Howard of Penrith, but such is the nature of British foreign policy between 1900 and 1930, a critical period in the decline of empire. This personal and diplomatic history follows Howard through his posts in Crete, Budapest, Berne, Paris, Madrid and Washington. But the real interest lies in the insights into the man and his class. Acidic paper. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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