A detailed life of Curzon, who was also Viceroy of India for seven years around the turn of the century. Despite his brilliant mind, his hard-working and self-denying nature, his sense of loyalty and strong values, and his early travels in Asia, Curzon was seen as self-opinionated and vain. The author shows that this was not the reality, but also does not try to gloss over his shortcomings, which included an impatience for lesser intellects, and a strong sense that he himself always knew best. By resigning from his viceroy's post, he set back his own career, and had to be satisfied with the Foreign Affairs charge toward the end of his career, instead of becoming Prime Minister in Britain (as he felt was his due). A well-written, fast-paced, absorbing, almost day-by-day, account of the successes and travails of one of the greatest of British statesmen and Viceroys. ( )

George Nathanial Curzon, the Most Honorable 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston, was indeed a very interesting fellow. He was the oldest son of Alfred Curzon, 4th Baron Scarsdale, and educated at Eton and Balliol. While his father considered it a waste of time, he ventured off the homestead and explored Russia and most of Central and Southeast Asia. His explorations of the Amu Darya (Oxus River) granted him admission into the Royal Geographic Society. His travels and extensive knowledge of the geography and politics of India led to his appointment as Viceroy of India in 1899. Even with his aristocratic upbringing, he strived to earn the loyalty and respect of his subjects, and even took efforts to ensure a proper restoration of the Taj Mahal. After returning to England, he became the Chancellor of Oxford, sat in the House of Lords, and became Foreign Secretary. Unfortunately, he was passed over for the post of Prime Minister in 1923 and died just a few years later.

Gilmour’s writing is stiff at first but ultimately smoothes out. This book is as impressive as it is long. While Curzon is not a well known British figure in the United States, Great Britain and India celebrate his legacy and it was nice to get a glimpse of India under colonial rule. Curzon could have been a better Prime Minister than Stanley Baldwin, but the politics of the day were stacked against members of the House of Lords. In the end, he was a intriguing part of the intertwined history of Great Britain and India. Gilmour’s biography is, for the most part, balanced and sourced well. He defers greatly to others who have approached the subject before him, but thankfully had access to more complete resources and the advantage of a wider historical lens. A daunting but very interesting read. ( )

A very substantial and definitive biography of one of Britain's most distinctive politicians of the late 19th century and early 20th century. Curzon was a tremendous traveller and scholar of other lands, and architecture, and this informed his approach to his Viceroyalty of India. His subsequent political career in Britain had highs but was also full of disappointments. Gilmour (son of a Conservative politician himself) puts all this into a well-written context but keeps the story moving well. The approach is sympathetic to its subject but never hagiographic.The deep scholarship behind the book is real but never intrusive. Really a model of its kind. ( )

The book includes much contemporary material. This gives the book substance and helps to bring its complex subject into focus. ( )

3820. Curzon: Imperial Statesman, by David Gilmour (read 3 Nov 2003) I read this 1999 work even though back on 26 Dec 1976 I read with great appreciation Kenneth Rose's biography of George Curzon (born 11 Jan 1859,-died 20 Mar 1925). He was a fantastic person, brilliant but with personality flaws which made many dislike him. Viceroy in India from 1899 to 1904 and 1904 to 1905, he for a time thereafter was in eclipse though remaining in Parliament. But he was in the War Cabinet 1916 to 1919, and Foreign Secretary 1919 to 1924, and expected to succeed Bonar Law as Prime Minister in 1924 but Stanley Baldwin was named instead. This is a magisterial biography, well-footnoted and with a 10 page bibliography (listing 16 books I have read--all with great interest and good thoughts in remembrance). Though the time in India drug for me, the rest of his career and life were of sustaining interest. A very good book. ( )