Anthony Eden (1897-1977)

Robert Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon, KG, MC, PC (12th June 1897 - 14th January 1977) was a British Conservative politician, who was Foreign Secretary for three periods between 1935 and 1955, including during World War II. He was Prime Minister from 1955 to 1957. Eden's worldwide reputation as an opponent of appeasement, a 'Man of Peace', and a skilled diplomat was overshadowed in the second year of his premiership by his handling of the Suez Crisis of 1956, which critics across party lines regarded as a historic setback for British foreign policy, signalling the end of British predominance in the Middle East. In the post-war years, Eden was a protagonist of the change in British policy on war criminal trials, which was perhaps best symbolised by his signature under the pardon conceded to the German Field Marshal Albert Kesselring on 24th October 1952. He is generally ranked among the least successful British Prime Ministers of the twentieth century, although two broadly sympathetic biographies (in 1986 and 2003) have gone some way to redressing the balance of opinion. PUBLIC DOMAIN News item.

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[ColoriProductions]

@bbaransi He stood up for Britain's interests, he was a great foreign secretary, a great statesman and a great man. If Eden had been in office a few more years, and if it weren't for our American enemies, he may have been able to stem some of the post-war decline in terms of international status. Also, while you're there, learn some grammatical skills.

[MrRobertJameson]

@ColoriProductions It is certainly ironic that it was Harold Macmillan who replaced Eden, having fully supported the military response to Suez.

[ColoriProductions]

@MrRobertJameson Yes, I agree, he stood up for Britain's interests, and we were betrayed by our so called 'allies' the Americans. It was they, who somewhat unjustly ruined his career, but unfortunately politics is never fair. His grave is situated about 2 miles from where I live actually! (But that's totally irrelevant!) Despite the fact that he was right, history is unlikely to give him the credit a brilliant statesman such as himself thoroughly deserves.

[MrRobertJameson]

@ColoriProductions Eden was 100% right about the Suez Crisis.

[ColoriProductions]

Regardless of Suez, Eden was a great man, from a generation we should all lament the passing of. (And I'm a student, we're not all crazy Marxist revolutionaries by the way!)

[harmonicaman008]

He reminds me so much of my Grandpa Eden.... hell could be related somehow

[WORLD8NSH5KNIGHT1]

Thanks for the uploads

[lakelandchief]

No word of lie he is in my family tree somehow on my dads side don't know how though.

[SanSerriffe]

His single mistake was enough to ruin Britain's credibility and prestige. Still, he had the potential to become a great prime minister, like so many others.

[amaryllisviolet]

I've just read D. R. Thorpe's biography of Eden, and I must say how much I admire him. He's only ever remembered for the Suez crisis but he had such a brilliant career before hand that its such a shame his entire career is clouded by that episode. He was a brilliant politician for the vast part of his career and a great statesman.