Granville

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

GEORGE LEVESON- GOWER, 2nd EARL, an English states- ; eduman; born in London, May 11, 1815 entered cated at Eton and Oxford, and Mor- Parliament in 1836 as member for peth, exchanging that seat for Lichfield in 1840. He succeeded to the peerage in 1846, and five years later entered the Russell, holding cabinet of Lord John the seals of the Foreign Office. From that time forward he held office in every Liberal ministry. He became president the of the Council in 1853, and leader of House of Lords in 1855. He labored arduously in connection with the great exhibitions of 1851 and 1862. Lord Granville was charged to form a ministry in 1859; but having failed to do so he joined Lord Palmerston's second administration. He retired with Earl the preceding Russell in 1866, having of year been made Lord Warden the December, 1868, he Cinque Ports. In was appointed Colonial Secretary in Mr. ministry, and on the Gladstone's first death of Lord Clarendon in 1870 became Secretary for Foreign Affairs. He arranged the treaty between England, , and Prussia guaranteeing the in- France nd confirmed dependence of Belgium; and with Prince Gortchakoff the agreement form an inthat Afghanistan should termediary zone between England and foreign Russia. In 1880 he again became secretary under Mr. Gladstone, and displayed considerable diplomatic skill in Berlin treaty, the matters relating to the occupation of Tunis, and the revolt of Arabi Pasha in Egypt. He retired with his chief in 1885, but returned once more to office as colonial secretary in with his colleagues 1886, resigning again in August of the latter year. He died in London, March 31, 1891.