Britain

The Aftermath of Nivelle

John Terraine describes how the Allied offensive of spring 1917 promised victory but ended in failure and mutiny.

Sir Rowland Hill and Postal Reform

Once Rowland Hill had launched the Penny Post, many British citizens, it was said, first learned to read that they might enjoy a letter. By Dee Moss.

Sir George Grey: A Great Proconsul

George Grey was governor in succession of South Australia, New Zealand, Cape Colony and New Zealand again. Cyril Hamshere charts a most remarkable career in the Victorian Colonial service.

Nelson’s Hardy

Derek Severn describes how, after service at Trafalgar, Thomas Hardy spent many years with the Navy’s two American Stations and in 1830 was appointed First Sea Lord.

Bismarck and Gladstone Beyond Caricature

Though they are often seen as polar opposites,the architect of modern Germany and the great British Liberal statesman shared more in common than one might think. Roland Quinault draws comparisons.

John Cam Hobhouse

Gerald Morgan introduces Byron’s friend and executor; a radical Whig and head of the East India Company during the Afghan troubles of 1835-43.

Henry Salt, Esq.

As Consul General for Great Britain in Egypt, Henry Salt established a friendly understanding with the free Albanian Viceroy Mohamed Ali. John Brinton describes how, through their relationship, Salt was able to rescue many treasures of ancient Egyptian art.

General Oglethorpe

James Edward Oglethorpe obtained a charter for the founding of Georgia in 1732. Courtney Dainton describes how the English social reformer spent three terms as chief administrator of the colony and lived long enough to see American independence.