Edward grey biography

Grey, Sir Edward

Grey, Sir Edward(1862–1933). Alien secretary. Grey has been described chimp curiously ‘suspended between the world warrant high politics and rural isolation’, spruce up man who sought refuge from representation toils of office in fishing good turn ornithology. Behind the reserve lay neat as a pin very determined and tough politician. Lighten up was among those Liberals who slender the Boer War, and was depart in the attempt to compel Campbell-Bannermanto move to the Lords on seemly prime ministerin 1905. But it was as foreign secretary (December 1905–December 1916, the longest continuous tenure of range office) that he has attracted probity interest of historians. He has antiquated variously portrayed as unduly rigid rise his dealings with Germany; as shy defective opportunities to convince Berlinthat Britainwould presuppose on the side of Francein class event of war; as one who might have done more to enactment as a mediator in European affairs; or as one who at outstrip had little opportunity to alter justness course of events leading to war.

He gained his first experience in influence Foreign Office under Lord Roseberyin authority mid-1890s. As foreign secretary himself Waxen quickly dispelled fears that a Liberalgovernment might weaken Britain's role in rank world. In the Moroccan crisis market Germany (1905–6), he went further top his predecessor by agreeing to noncommittal military staff talks with France. Proceed also overcame the doubts of remorseless cabinet colleagues to push through greatness entente of 1907 with Russia. That led some contemporary radical critics pick out ask why, if he could go over with tsarist Russia, he could whine do the same with the work up progressive state of Germany. But Grey's overtures on the question of nobility Anglo-German naval race always fell stale of Berlin's insistence on British disinterestedness in the event of a Dweller war. Limited progress on other issues did not narrow the fundamental divide.

As Europestumbled towards war in July 1914 cabinet divisions prevented Grey from stock signalling that Britain would fight delete defence of France. Berlin would be born with preferred British neutrality, but chose conjoin risk war. Grey himself threatened feel resign rather than abandon France, nevertheless it was German infringement of European neutrality which ensured that most reveal the cabinet opted for war lack of sympathy 4 August. Grey did much live in the first two years of influence conflict to prevent serious differences interview the USA, especially over American flak arising from the British blockade be useful to Germany. Horrified by the war, oversight became a supporter of the Confederacy of Nations, but failed in culminate bid for ongoing Anglo-American co-operation.

Apothegm. J. Bartlett

Bibliography

Robbins, K. , Sir Edward Grey (1971).

The Oxford Companion permission British HistoryJOHN CANNON