Lord Curzon 1859-1925

George Nathaniel Curzon, first Marquis Curzon of Kedleston was, perhaps, the most important British statesman of the modern era not to become prime minister. A statesman, historian, and traveler, Curzon was seen as a political figure who achieved successes rather than success. After achieving distinctions at Eton and Oxford, Curzon became private secretary to the new prime minister Lord Salisbury in 1885.

In 1886 he was elected to the House of Commons. Posts as under secretary at the India Office and under secretary for foreign affairs followed; at the same time he was in great demand as a writer, providing accounts of his travels and his political views. In 1898 he became Viceroy of India. After serving as chancellor of Oxford University, he entered Lloyd George's War Cabinet, and, in 1919, was appointed foreign secretary.

A Tory reformer and spokesman for Britain's imperial mission, today Curzon may be best remembered for extending Western knowledge of Indian art, archeology, and literature. This is the first book-length bibliography ever published on Lord Curzon. It examines his private and official papers as well as his writings and the numerous publications and other materials dealing with him and his family.

In addition, the volume contains a sketch of his life and career, a chronology, and author, subject, and serial publications indexes. This is a invaluable resource for scholars and researchers on British imperialism, foreign affairs, and politics. Review: ?This fifth bibliography in a series originally issued by Meckler Publishing and continued by Greenwood Press uses the same format as earlier volumes.

Parker offers selective coverage of both manuscript and printed sources, including published, official, and private manuscript sources; published writings by and about Curzon; and sections on the press and on photographs, portraits, and other visual materials. A brief author and subject index is provided.

Curzon was an ambitious personality for whom there was rarely any middle ground. His distinguished beginning in politics was capped by his serving as Viceroy of India and as Foreign Secretary, but he fell short of his ultimate goal to serve as Prime Minister. The scope of materials by and about Curzon is astounding, and this bibliography wisely tries to limit itself to the main resource collections.

Students wishing additional coverage might want to consult one of the many Curzon biographies, such as Kenneth Rose's Superior Person (1969).?-Choice