Balfour: A Life of Arthur James Balfour

by Max Egremont

The outstanding biography of the Conservative Prime Minister, who was also a brilliant and elusive figure. For this biography, Max Egremont had unrestricted access to the long correspondence with Lady Elcho, with whom Balfour had an intimate relationship for almost fifty years.

Genres: Biography

391 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps not so difficult to get your political career started if Lord Salisbury is your uncle. Despite the chronic nepotism Balfour was undoubtedly talented and a very interesting historical figure. Pretended to be lazy, but actually worked very hard, wrote philosophy and (for better or for worse, depending upon your point of view) made his crucial declaration on the future of Palestine in 1917. Very much the product of his time and class. His biggest failing was his inability to see how quickly society and the country as a whole were irrevocably changing in the first part of the 20th century.

I confess the biography itself was a bit of a disappointment. Had a strong sense the author was going through the motions. A real pity as I had enjoyed “Forgotten Land”.