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Statesman of Europe: A Life of Sir Edward Grey
The lamps are going out all over Europe. We shall not see them lit again in our life-time.' The words of Sir Edward Grey, looking out from the windows of the Foreign Office at the end of August 1914, are amongst the most famous in European history, and encapsulate the impending end of the nineteenth-century world. The man who spoke them was Britain's longest-ever serving Foreign Secretary (in a single span of office) and one of the great figures of late Victorian and Edwardian Britain. Statesman of Europe describes the three decades before the First World War through the prism of his biography, which is based almost entirely on archival sources and presents a detailed account of the main domestic and international events, and of the main personalities of the era. In particular, it presents a fresh understanding of the approach to war in the years and months before its outbreak, and Grey's role in the unfolding of events. This important book is the definitive biography of one of the pivotal figures in European diplomacy, and a magnificent portrait of an age.
752 pages, Paperback
First published November 26, 2020
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About the author
Thomas G. Otte
27 books8 followersA professor of diplomatic history at the University of East Anglia, Thomas Otte specializes in the diplomatic and international history of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 30, 2025
Gentle Knight
Sir Edward Grey is the United Kingdom’s longest serving foreign secretary, carrying out the role from 1905-1916. He is also the man who took the UK to war in 1914. He has been lambasted by his numerous critics, including David Lloyd George and the Nazis alike and even named as the most ‘incompetent foreign secretary of all time’. Grey ultimately failed to prevent the UK and Europe from plunging into the Great War and this has defined his legacy. Master of UK foreign policy and its history, TG Otte comes to Grey’s defence in this solid biography, which will now be the authority on Grey.
Rising to prominence in the late Victorian age at the height of British power in the world, Grey’s inheritance could not have been better. A scion of the House of Grey, a powerful, famous and old family of Northumbria. His great-great uncle was Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, who as Prime Minister introduced the Great Reform Act of 1832. Not an academic nor a natural politician, he was most interested in fishing, nature and the country. But equally torn between his duty to serve he used family connections to enter politics. Grey lived in a world, where the old aristocratic dominance of British Politics was slowly ending and the age of the middle class and working man had begun. He recognised this and that it had to be a smooth handover, to avoid a bloody revolution.
Immediately addicted to the debate and mentored by the Earl of Rosebery, first Grey focused on internal issues, before landing the foreign office and finding his addiction to the dynamics of power relations. Greys outlooks have for the most part stood the test of time and for me he is pragmatic and not controversial in this sense. He believed in Home Rule in Ireland, Free Trade, votes for woman and for Arabs to rule Palestine as they were the majority ethnic group there. With international relations, he did not want to commit the UK to deeply with any power and would be what I would call an ‘on the fence’ man. Neither swaying too close one way or another, trying to balance British interests abroad.
As we focus on the impossible situation faced by Grey in July 1914, Otte’s mastery really takes shape. Grey believed in conferences, it had worked before in the previous two Balkan crises of 1905 and 1911. He also saw that whatever decision he made, the UK was loose and decline as a result. Stay out and the Central Powers win, a very strong Germany, who would inevitably seize French colonies, would be in a position to challenge the UK directly. Stay out and the French and Russian’s win, a dismembered Germany would upset the balance of power and UK interests abroad, especially in the Mediterranean would be threatened. Go in and British and Imperial lives would be sacrificed on the alter, the country would debilitate. Where the criticism is just for me is that Grey was not clear in where Britain stood during the aftermath of the Sarajevo murders and was too vague in his communications with Germany. Otte argues that the German ambassador to the UK, understood but was kept in the dark from Berlin, but Greg’s legacy is one of being on the fence. He could have done more to reign in the aggressive war thirst of both France and Russia, but as Otte explains again, he had little influence over these foreign governments who were going to go to war.
Grey fell from office with HH Asquith in 1916, after the Lord Northcliffe press machine had brought it down. Lloyd George came in and by this time the two were estranged. War had been waging with little result and at huge cost for two years. Lloyd George, a brilliant politician, but obnoxious man was a loud critic of Grey, who now bore the brunt of failing to prevent peace. When war was finally won in 1918 and the peace was being decided at Versailles in 1919, Grey was nowhere. So we have a man who had an impossible decision on his shoulders and none of the voice. Perhaps his greatest achievement then, is recognising that the 20th century was America’s century and the need to stay aligned with a nation that had a common language, religion and culture. Bringing Woodrow Wilson on side was no easy feat or done deal, but Grey hugely influenced this.
In later years he fell back to what he loved, his country seat at Fallonden and his interest in nature. As his eyesight failed he became more frustrated and removed to the annuals of history. The liberals were never to see power again. I found Grey a likeable, classic English gentleman. There is no ill will, malice or anger in him. Just someone serving and trying to do what is right. Too aloof in 1914 then? I still think so. Grey famously said when war was declared against Germany and looking out into Downing Street, ‘the lamps are going out all over Europe, we will not see them lit again in our lifetime’ reminds me so much of William Pitt the Youngers comment at hearing of Napoleon’s victory at Austerlitz in 1805, ‘roll that map up, it will not be wanted these 10 years.’ Both a beautifully poetic and harrowingly accurate.
Sir Edward Grey is the United Kingdom’s longest serving foreign secretary, carrying out the role from 1905-1916. He is also the man who took the UK to war in 1914. He has been lambasted by his numerous critics, including David Lloyd George and the Nazis alike and even named as the most ‘incompetent foreign secretary of all time’. Grey ultimately failed to prevent the UK and Europe from plunging into the Great War and this has defined his legacy. Master of UK foreign policy and its history, TG Otte comes to Grey’s defence in this solid biography, which will now be the authority on Grey.
Rising to prominence in the late Victorian age at the height of British power in the world, Grey’s inheritance could not have been better. A scion of the House of Grey, a powerful, famous and old family of Northumbria. His great-great uncle was Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, who as Prime Minister introduced the Great Reform Act of 1832. Not an academic nor a natural politician, he was most interested in fishing, nature and the country. But equally torn between his duty to serve he used family connections to enter politics. Grey lived in a world, where the old aristocratic dominance of British Politics was slowly ending and the age of the middle class and working man had begun. He recognised this and that it had to be a smooth handover, to avoid a bloody revolution.
Immediately addicted to the debate and mentored by the Earl of Rosebery, first Grey focused on internal issues, before landing the foreign office and finding his addiction to the dynamics of power relations. Greys outlooks have for the most part stood the test of time and for me he is pragmatic and not controversial in this sense. He believed in Home Rule in Ireland, Free Trade, votes for woman and for Arabs to rule Palestine as they were the majority ethnic group there. With international relations, he did not want to commit the UK to deeply with any power and would be what I would call an ‘on the fence’ man. Neither swaying too close one way or another, trying to balance British interests abroad.
As we focus on the impossible situation faced by Grey in July 1914, Otte’s mastery really takes shape. Grey believed in conferences, it had worked before in the previous two Balkan crises of 1905 and 1911. He also saw that whatever decision he made, the UK was loose and decline as a result. Stay out and the Central Powers win, a very strong Germany, who would inevitably seize French colonies, would be in a position to challenge the UK directly. Stay out and the French and Russian’s win, a dismembered Germany would upset the balance of power and UK interests abroad, especially in the Mediterranean would be threatened. Go in and British and Imperial lives would be sacrificed on the alter, the country would debilitate. Where the criticism is just for me is that Grey was not clear in where Britain stood during the aftermath of the Sarajevo murders and was too vague in his communications with Germany. Otte argues that the German ambassador to the UK, understood but was kept in the dark from Berlin, but Greg’s legacy is one of being on the fence. He could have done more to reign in the aggressive war thirst of both France and Russia, but as Otte explains again, he had little influence over these foreign governments who were going to go to war.
Grey fell from office with HH Asquith in 1916, after the Lord Northcliffe press machine had brought it down. Lloyd George came in and by this time the two were estranged. War had been waging with little result and at huge cost for two years. Lloyd George, a brilliant politician, but obnoxious man was a loud critic of Grey, who now bore the brunt of failing to prevent peace. When war was finally won in 1918 and the peace was being decided at Versailles in 1919, Grey was nowhere. So we have a man who had an impossible decision on his shoulders and none of the voice. Perhaps his greatest achievement then, is recognising that the 20th century was America’s century and the need to stay aligned with a nation that had a common language, religion and culture. Bringing Woodrow Wilson on side was no easy feat or done deal, but Grey hugely influenced this.
In later years he fell back to what he loved, his country seat at Fallonden and his interest in nature. As his eyesight failed he became more frustrated and removed to the annuals of history. The liberals were never to see power again. I found Grey a likeable, classic English gentleman. There is no ill will, malice or anger in him. Just someone serving and trying to do what is right. Too aloof in 1914 then? I still think so. Grey famously said when war was declared against Germany and looking out into Downing Street, ‘the lamps are going out all over Europe, we will not see them lit again in our lifetime’ reminds me so much of William Pitt the Youngers comment at hearing of Napoleon’s victory at Austerlitz in 1805, ‘roll that map up, it will not be wanted these 10 years.’ Both a beautifully poetic and harrowingly accurate.
March 2, 2022
5/5 Very good. Just under 700 pages of text plus 150 of notes, bibliography and index.
Lots of detail on the international politics of the late 19th and early 20th century. It is good on this as it doesn't just focus on Europe but also includes info on the USA, Japan, and Anglo-Russian disputes in Asia. Otte puts a lot of focus on the Russo-Japanese war as causing a big shift in European great power politics, as Russia doing badly changed the balance of power. Also a lot of info on the internal disputes of the Liberal Party on issues like Irish Home Rule, how to respond to the Boer War or how much to spend on the navy. Some info on the big domestic issues like women's suffrage, industrial strife or the Lloyd George's People's Budget. The writing is good and enjoyable to read. The stuff on Grey's personal life was more interesting than I expected as well. I also enjoyed the last 100 or so pages on his life after 1916 when he was no longer foreign secretary more than I expected I would.
Overall he presents Grey in a quite positive light. He's shown as a pragmatic but moral man willing to see the reality of international politics more than the radical side of the Liberal party which was too concerned with ethics. In the context of the July Crisis Otte says (fairly imo) that no British foreign secretary could've done better considering the domestic politics (a Liberal party that needed the backing of Irish nationalists and the socialist Labour party) combined with the Austro-Hungarian leadership having decided it wanted war with Serbia no matter what. But there is still some criticism, specifically that Grey was a bit too trusting of Germany because the UK and Germany worked well together in negotiations during the Balkan Wars, that Grey didn't do enough to teach the Liberal Party about the harsh realities of international politics, and that Grey's record in the First World War itself was mixed rather than good.
I think it would be best if you had some prior knowledge of the time period and would not recommend it as your first book on the period.
Lots of detail on the international politics of the late 19th and early 20th century. It is good on this as it doesn't just focus on Europe but also includes info on the USA, Japan, and Anglo-Russian disputes in Asia. Otte puts a lot of focus on the Russo-Japanese war as causing a big shift in European great power politics, as Russia doing badly changed the balance of power. Also a lot of info on the internal disputes of the Liberal Party on issues like Irish Home Rule, how to respond to the Boer War or how much to spend on the navy. Some info on the big domestic issues like women's suffrage, industrial strife or the Lloyd George's People's Budget. The writing is good and enjoyable to read. The stuff on Grey's personal life was more interesting than I expected as well. I also enjoyed the last 100 or so pages on his life after 1916 when he was no longer foreign secretary more than I expected I would.
Overall he presents Grey in a quite positive light. He's shown as a pragmatic but moral man willing to see the reality of international politics more than the radical side of the Liberal party which was too concerned with ethics. In the context of the July Crisis Otte says (fairly imo) that no British foreign secretary could've done better considering the domestic politics (a Liberal party that needed the backing of Irish nationalists and the socialist Labour party) combined with the Austro-Hungarian leadership having decided it wanted war with Serbia no matter what. But there is still some criticism, specifically that Grey was a bit too trusting of Germany because the UK and Germany worked well together in negotiations during the Balkan Wars, that Grey didn't do enough to teach the Liberal Party about the harsh realities of international politics, and that Grey's record in the First World War itself was mixed rather than good.
I think it would be best if you had some prior knowledge of the time period and would not recommend it as your first book on the period.
February 22, 2021
I was slightly apprehensive at the thought of reading a 700 page biography of anyone, let alone a 19th century politician. However the author cleverly combines the basic biography, early years, education and career, into a thoroughly enjoyable snippet of pre WW1 Britain. Throughout the book I gradually came to admire the controversial foreign secretary. With his old world love of a simple life spent in the country, to his forward looking Liberal views and moralistic approach to political life. The book does delve into a lot of detail regarding Grey’s political life and those of his peers, which I found needed some stamina to read, reread and absorb. This could have been the writing style of the author or simply my own academic level, but too much detail and information can hardly be a criticism of a book that I choose to read for that very reason. One of those reading experiences that leaves a mark on you, historically and ethically, I loved it.
August 20, 2024
An excellent biography of Sir Edward (later, Viscount) Grey, the British Foreign Secretary from December 1905 to December 1916. The book provides a look at the private man as well as the stateman. I thought it did an excellent job showing how Grey -- who inherited the entente cordiale with France from the prior Tory government, and finalized the 1907 Anglo-Russian agreement -- tried to maintain the balance of power in Europe, and the resolution of various problems through the Concert of Europe. The book also absolves him of responsibility for failing to prevent the outbreak of war in 1914.
This is a long book, but it is well written and immensely readable. And in 687 pages, I found only three insignificant typos. One curious thing I will note: when referring to the powers by way of the location of their foreign ministries (e.g., the Quai d'Orsay, the Ballhausplatz, the Sublime Porte, etc.), the author does not precede Berlin's Wilhelmstrasse with "the." Seemed odd.
Highly recommend.
This is a long book, but it is well written and immensely readable. And in 687 pages, I found only three insignificant typos. One curious thing I will note: when referring to the powers by way of the location of their foreign ministries (e.g., the Quai d'Orsay, the Ballhausplatz, the Sublime Porte, etc.), the author does not precede Berlin's Wilhelmstrasse with "the." Seemed odd.
Highly recommend.
September 1, 2024
3.5 stars. A very detailed policy biography of Sir Edward Grey. I craved for more insight into Grey's relationships with his political colleagues and rivals, more detail of his personal life and habits and more of an insight into his love of the countryside. Overall though an enjoyable read.
February 12, 2025
A wonderfully detailed account of Grey’s life. Otte’s Grey is a principled public servant and the supporting evidence is well marshalled. The book’s length and depth of coverage requires stamina of the reader, but it is well worth the effort.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews