GREY (Sir Edward, 1862-1933, Liberal Statesman, Longest Serving Foreign Secretary 1905-1916, Ornithologist, 1st Viscount Grey of Falloden)

Fine Autograph Letter Signed, marked ‘Private’ to “My dear GORST” (Sir John Eldon, 1861-1911, Minister Plenipotentiary in Cairo, MP) saying that his “brother George Grey has been travelling from Rhodesia & expects to reach Khartoum about April 10. I have written to Wingate. His journey is a private one undertaken for his own pleasure & he will probably come straight home from Khartoum. So there is nothing that needs doing for him & I am only writing to you in case you should be at Cairo & able to see hm if he stops there on his way through. He has a stammer, which makes him slow in conversation but I know no-one with better judgement & his knowledge of Rhodesia & the unsettled districts of South Africa is exceptionally great...”, 3 sides 8vo., Foreign Office headed paper, 21st October

An adherent of the "New Liberalism", he served as foreign secretary from 1905 to 1916, the longest continuous tenure of any holder of that office. He renewed the 1902 alliance with Japan in 1911. The centrepiece of his policy was the defence of France against German aggression, while avoiding a binding alliance with Paris. He supported France in the Moroccan crises of 1905 and 1911. Another major achievement was the Anglo-Russian entente of 1907. He resolved an outstanding conflict with Germany over the Baghdad railway in 1913. His most important action came in the July Crisis in 1914, when he led Britain into World War I against Germany.
Two of Grey's brothers were killed by wild animals in Africa: George (1866-1911) was mauled by a lion in 1911, and Charles was felled by a buffalo in 1928. George was a pioneer in Rhodesia and Katanga and he raised Grey's Scouts during the Matabele Rebellion of 1906.

Item Date:  1910

Stock No:  42902      £225

             Add to Wish List     Order/Enquire