Francis Oswald Lindley
Encyclopedia
Sir Francis Oswald Lindley CB
, CBE
, PC, KCMG
(June 12, 1872– 17 August 1950) was a British
diplomat, HM Consul-General in Russia
, 1919, British High Commissioner in Vienna
, 1919 to 1920, Ambassador to Austria, 1920 to 1921, Ambassador to Greece, 1922 to 1923, Minister in Oslo
, 1923 to 1929; Ambassador to Portugal, 1929 to 1931, and finally Ambassador to Japan, 1931 to 1934.
, he was educated at Winchester College
and Magdalen College, Oxford
.
In 1903, Lindley married Etheldreda Mary Fraser, third daughter of Simon Fraser, 13th Lord Lovat
. They had four daughters, and his wife died in 1949.
in 1899, and served in Tehran
from 1900 to 1901. Promoted Second Secretary in the Diplomatic Service, 1902, before serving the Egyptian Government from 1902 to 1904, he was next in HM Agency in Cairo
for two years, then in Tokyo
from 1906 to 1908, returning to London for a home posting in the Foreign Office, 1908–1909. He was promoted First Secretary in the Diplomatic Service in 1909 and served in Sofia
, 1909–1911, Christiania
, 1912, and as Counsellor of the British Embassy at Petrograd, 1915.
More senior postings came after the Great War. Lindley was appointed HM Commissioner in Russia
in June 1918 and HM Consul-General there in 1919. He was High Commissioner in Vienna
from 1919 to 1920. He was Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Austria between 1920 and 1921, to Ambassador to Greece between 1922 and 1923,, Minister in Oslo
from 1923 to 1929; Ambassador to Portugal from 1929 to 1931, and finally Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan from 1931 to 1934, when he retired.
, Hampshire
, and in 1934 was appointed a Justice of the Peace
for the county. He belonged to the Turf Club
and Brooks's
.
/WorldCat
encompasses roughly 3 works in 3 publications in 1 language and 20 library holdings.
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
, CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, PC, KCMG
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(June 12, 1872– 17 August 1950) was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
diplomat, HM Consul-General in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, 1919, British High Commissioner in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, 1919 to 1920, Ambassador to Austria, 1920 to 1921, Ambassador to Greece, 1922 to 1923, Minister in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, 1923 to 1929; Ambassador to Portugal, 1929 to 1931, and finally Ambassador to Japan, 1931 to 1934.
Early life
The fourth son of Nathaniel Lindley, Baron LindleyNathaniel Lindley, Baron Lindley
Sir Nathaniel Lindley, Baron Lindley SL PC FRS was an English judge.-Biography:He was the second son of the botanist John Lindley, born at Acton Green, London. He was educated at University College School, and studied for a time at University College, London...
, he was educated at Winchester College
Winchester College
Winchester College is an independent school for boys in the British public school tradition, situated in Winchester, Hampshire, the former capital of England. It has existed in its present location for over 600 years and claims the longest unbroken history of any school in England...
and Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £153 million. Magdalen is currently top of the Norrington Table after over half of its 2010 finalists received first-class degrees, a record...
.
In 1903, Lindley married Etheldreda Mary Fraser, third daughter of Simon Fraser, 13th Lord Lovat
Simon Fraser, 13th Lord Lovat
Simon Fraser, 13th Lord Lovat and 2nd Baron Lovat , was a Scottish peer. While legally the 13th Lord, he was referred to as the 15th Lord Lovat....
. They had four daughters, and his wife died in 1949.
Career
Lindley became an Attaché in 1896 and a Clerk at the Foreign Office in 1897. He was appointed Acting Third Secretary in ViennaVienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
in 1899, and served in Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
from 1900 to 1901. Promoted Second Secretary in the Diplomatic Service, 1902, before serving the Egyptian Government from 1902 to 1904, he was next in HM Agency in Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
for two years, then in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
from 1906 to 1908, returning to London for a home posting in the Foreign Office, 1908–1909. He was promoted First Secretary in the Diplomatic Service in 1909 and served in Sofia
Sofia
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
, 1909–1911, Christiania
Christiania
-Places:* Christiania or Kristiania, names of Oslo * Freetown Christiania , a self-proclaimed autonomous neighborhood of Copenhagen, Denmark* Christiania Township, Minnesota, a township in Jackson County...
, 1912, and as Counsellor of the British Embassy at Petrograd, 1915.
More senior postings came after the Great War. Lindley was appointed HM Commissioner in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
in June 1918 and HM Consul-General there in 1919. He was High Commissioner in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
from 1919 to 1920. He was Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Austria between 1920 and 1921, to Ambassador to Greece between 1922 and 1923,, Minister in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
from 1923 to 1929; Ambassador to Portugal from 1929 to 1931, and finally Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan from 1931 to 1934, when he retired.
Later life
In retirement, Lindley lived at The Weir House, AlresfordAlresford
Alresford may refer to:* Alresford, Essex, a village in Essex, England* New Alresford, a small town in Hampshire, England* Old Alresford, a village in Hampshire, England* the deanery of Alresford that includes the last two and other parishes...
, Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, and in 1934 was appointed a Justice of the Peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
for the county. He belonged to the Turf Club
Turf Club
Turf Club may refer to: * Turf Club , a club in London, UK* Turf Club, Gauteng, a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa* Turf Club , a live music venue in Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S....
and Brooks's
Brooks's
Brooks's is one of London's most exclusive gentlemen's clubs, founded in 1764 by 27 men, including four dukes. From its inception, it was the meeting place for Whigs of the highest social order....
.
Selected works
In a statistical overview derived from writings by and about Francis Lindley, OCLCOCLC
OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. is "a nonprofit, membership, computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purposes of furthering access to the world’s information and reducing information costs"...
/WorldCat
WorldCat
WorldCat is a union catalog which itemizes the collections of 72,000 libraries in 170 countries and territories which participate in the Online Computer Library Center global cooperative...
encompasses roughly 3 works in 3 publications in 1 language and 20 library holdings.
- A Diplomat off Duty (1928)
- Lord Lovat: A Biography (1935)
Honours
- Commander of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(CBE), 1917 - Companion of the Order of the BathOrder of the BathThe Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
(CB), 1919 - Privy Counsellor (PC), 1929
- Knight Companion of the Order of St Michael and St GeorgeOrder of St Michael and St GeorgeThe Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(KCMG), 1926 - Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St GeorgeOrder of St Michael and St GeorgeThe Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(GCMG), 1931
See also
- List of Ambassadors from the United Kingdom to Austria
- List of Ambassadors from the United Kingdom to Greece
- List of Ambassadors from the United Kingdom to Portugal
- List of Ambassadors from the United Kingdom to Japan
- Anglo-Japanese relationsAnglo-Japanese relationsThe history of the relationship between Britain and Japan began in 1600 with the arrival of William Adams on the shores of Kyūshū at Usuki in Ōita Prefecture...