Back to search results
Name: HARDINGE, Arthur Henry PC, GCMG, KCB, Rt. Hon. Sir
Nee: only son of General Sir Arthur Edward Hardinge
Birth Date: 12.10.1859 Mortlake, London
Death Date: 27.12.1933 Mortlake
Nationality: British
First Date: 1894
Last Date: 1900
Profession: First Commissioner & Consul General of EAP 1895-1900
Area: Served in Europe, Ambassador to Spain 1913-1919
Married: In London 4.11.1899 Alexandra Mina Ellis b. 9.11.1870 London, d. 23.3.1949 East Sheen, Surrey
Children: Henry Arthur Mina (1 Oct 1904 Tehran-1925); Edward William George (1905 Marylebone-1906 Brighton); George Granville Douglas (13 Jan 1912-1927); Mary Pamela (16 Jan 1907 Brussels-2001)
Author: 'A Diplomatist in The East' 1928
Book Reference: Gillett, Hobley, Ainsworth, Permanent Way, Moyse, Debrett, EAHB 1905, North, EA Diary, Nicholls, Burke, Eton, EAHB 1904, Fox Davies
School: Eton 1872-77 and Balliol College, Oxford. Fell. All Souls 1881, 1st cl. Mod. Hist
General Information:
Hobley - He was a brilliant personality, but the humdrum work of administration was a novel sphere for the exercise of his diplomatic gifts, and it is doubtful whether he ever took his duties seriously. The unconventionality of his treatment of affairs and, one may say at times, the levity, failed to produce the dignified atmosphere, which it is maintained, should surround the head of State.. The conduct of affairs was too casual; there were no organised headquarters, no systematic records, too many verbal decisions, and noone seemed to know where they stood. It was a period of transition, and the staff trained to deal with the new situations which daily arose was well nigh non-existent. In spite of this, however, Sir Arthur Hardinge left his mark on EA, and his memorable thesis on the Slavery question is to this day a classic.
Debrett - sometime a Page of Honour to HM Queen Victoria; entered Foreign Office 1880, became a 3rd Sec. 1883, and a 2nd Sec. 1885; was 2nd Sec. at St. Petersburg 1886-8, and at Constantinople 1888-90, Acting Charge d'Affaires at Bucharest 1890, Political Officer on staff of H.I.H. the Cesarewitch in India 1890-91, 2nd Sec. at Cairo (acted at intervals as Agent and Consul-Gen. in Egypt) 1891-4, and British Agent and Consul-Gen. at Zanzibar, Consul-Gen. for German East Africa, H.M.'s Commr. and Consul-Gen. in BEA Protectorate 1894-1900, and Envoy Extraor. and Min. Plen. to Persia 1900-06, at Brussels 1906-11, and at Lisbon 1911-13, and an Ambassador Extraor. and Plen at Madrid 1913-19; etc.
Nicholls - Hardinge spent most of his time on the mainland touring his provinces, but there was much of a muddle and indecision in his rule. 'Hardinge', said Frank Hall, 'is a wonderfully clever diplomat but as an Administrator perfectly hopeless. He looks on everything as a huge joke, and as long as the revenue increases and everything slides along without any increase in expenditure, he is perfectly satisfied.'
North - 'It is doubtful if he ever took his duties seriously' (Hobley, 1920)
Hobley - had an uncanny insight into the Arab character. Succeeded Sir Gerald Portal as Agent & Consul-General at Zanzibar.
Permanent Way - 'an unconventional man and a brilliant Arabic scholar.'
Back to search results
