Beresford
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
LORD CHARLES DE LA POER, an English naval officer, born in Ireland, Feb. 10, 1846; became a Cadet in 1857; Lieutenant, 1868; Captain, 1882; and Rear-Admiral, 1897. In 1882 he commanded the "Condor" in the bombardment of Alexandria, and was especially mentioned and honored for his gallantry. In 1884-1885 he served on Lord Wolseley's staff in the Nile Expedition; and subsequently commanded the naval brigade in the battles of Abu Klea, Abu Kru, and Metemmeh. He commanded the expedition which rescued Sir Charles Wilson's party and was commended for his gallantry in both Houses of Parliament. In 1893-1896, he was in command of the naval reserve at Chatham, and in December, 1899, was appointed the second in command of the British squadron mobilized in the Mediterranean Sea. Lord Beresford accompanied the Prince of Wales on his visit to India in 1875-1876, as naval aide-de-camp, and held the same relation to the Queen in 1896-1897. He served several terms in Parliament, where he acquired a reputation as an outspoken critic, especially of naval affairs. Besides the numerous honors for gallantry as an officer he received three medals for saving life at sea under trying circumstances. In 1898 he visited China at the request of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of Great Britain; and on his return, in 1899, he passed through the United States, and was received with distinguished honors. He was commander Mediterranean squadron (1905-1907), and of the Channel Fleet (1907-1909). His publications include "Life of Nelson and His Times"; "The Break Up of China" (1899); "Memoirs" (1914). He also was a frequent contributor to magazines. He died in 1920.
What Has Changed in the Last Century
Collier's compiled this in 1921, within two years of Beresford's death, and the career it lists is settled biography that has not altered. One detail has: he died on 6 September 1919, not in 1920 as the entry states, and he had been raised to the peerage as Baron Beresford of Metemmeh in 1916, a title that died with him. What has shifted is the emphasis eputation as an outspoken critic, especially of naval affairs" is now treated by historians as the central fact of his later life, his bitter feud with Admiral Sir John Fisher over Dreadnought-era reform culminating in the 1909 Cabinet inquiry, which largely vindicated Fisher and left Beresford's reputation the poorer."
Written for this edition, 2026.