Arthur Balfour

NAME Arthur Balfour

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Arthur Balfour was famous as a British statesman and Conservative Party politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1902 to 1905. He is also remembered for his role in shaping British foreign policy, particularly the Balfour Declaration of 1917.

BIRTH Arthur Balfour was born on July 25, 1848, in Whittingehame House, East Lothian, Scotland.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Arthur Balfour came from a prominent Scottish family with a long history of political and social influence. His father, James Maitland Balfour, was a Scottish MP and landowner. The Balfours were part of the landed gentry, with estates in Scotland.

His uncle, Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, was the Prime Minister before him.

CHILDHOOD Balfour grew up in a privileged environment at Whittingehame House, enjoying a formal education and exposure to politics from a young age.

EDUCATION He was educated at Eton College and later at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he excelled academically.

CAREER RECORD Arthur Balfour entered politics in 1874, becoming a Member of Parliament for Hertford. He held various government positions, including Chief Secretary for Ireland and Secretary of State for Scotland. Balfour succeeded his uncle, Lord Salisbury, as Prime Minister in 1902. Here's his resume:

Member of Parliament (MP) for various constituencies (1874-1922)

Held various cabinet positions including Chief Secretary for Ireland and First Lord of the Admiralty

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1902-1905)

Foreign Secretary (1916-1919) - issued the Balfour Declaration

APPEARANCE Arthur Balfour was tall and thin and aristocratic in appearance, often seen with a distinguished bearing. He was described as having a thoughtful expression. 

Balfour in 1891, by Lawrence Alma-Tadema

FASHION He was known for his formal and impeccable dress, typical of the Victorian and Edwardian era.

CHARACTER Balfour was described as intelligent, reserved, and a skilled debater. He possessed a calm and composed demeanor.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Arthur Balfour had a dry and witty sense of humor, appreciated by his contemporaries.

When Balfour succeeded his uncle Lord [Bob] Salisbury as Tory Prime Minister on July 12, 1902, it gave rise to the joke he got the job because "Bob was his uncle".

RELATIONSHIPS Balfour never married and did not have any notable romantic relationships. He was close to his family, particularly his uncle Lord Salisbury.

MONEY AND FAME As a member of the aristocracy and through his political career, Balfour was wealthy and well-known in British society.

He achieved significant fame through his political career, particularly the Balfour Declaration

FOOD AND DRINK Balfour enjoyed traditional British cuisine and fine dining.

MUSIC AND ARTS He had an appreciation for classical music and the arts, often attending cultural events.

LITERATURE Arthur Balfour was a cultured individual with a keen interest in literature and poetry.

He published philosophical works such as A Defence of Philosophic Doubt.

NATURE He appreciated the Scottish countryside and spent leisure time outdoors.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Balfour was fond of golf, a popular sport among the British upper class.

He also enjoyed playing tennis and served as the first president of the International Lawn Tennis Club of Great Britain

SCIENCE AND MATHS He had a keen interest in scientific advancements and developments in mathematics.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Balfour engaged deeply with philosophical and theological ideas, evident in his writings and speeches. He published works exploring philosophy and religion, arguing for the importance of faith alongside reason.

The Balfour Declaration was a letter from British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour to banker and prominent Jewish leader (Zionist) Walter Rothschild, 2nd Baron Rothschild, dated November 2, 1917. In this letter, The declaration, Arthur Balfour declared on behalf of His Majesty's Government, that Britain supported plans for a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

The United Nations unanimously confirmed in 1922 the Balfour Declaration as a mandate and Great Britain was temporarily entrusted with administrating Palestine on behalf of its Arab and Jewish inhabitants.

Balfour Declaration

SCANDAL Balfour was not involved in any major scandals during his political career.

MILITARY RECORD He did not have a notable military career.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Balfour maintained good health throughout most of his life  but suffered from circulatory problems in his last years.

HOMES Arthur Balfour lived in a number of grand houses throughout his life. His childhood home was Whittingehame, a large estate in East Lothian, Scotland. He inherited the estate after his father's death and spent a significant amount of time there throughout his life.

As a politician, Balfour also had residences in London. He lived at 4 Carlton Gardens, a prestigious address near Buckingham Palace.

His main residence was Whittingehame House in Scotland, with occasional stays in London.

TRAVEL Balfour's travels were mainly connected with his political career. He travelled throughout Europe to meet with foreign leaders and attend conferences. Notable trips included attending the Second Hague Conference in 1907 and visiting France and Germany in attempts to prevent war in 1914.

DEATH Arthur Balfour died at his brother Gerald's home, Fishers Hill House in Hook Heath, Woking, where he had lived since January 1929, on March 19, 1930.  He was 81 years old.

At his request a public funeral was declined, and he was buried on March 22 beside members of his family at Whittingehame in a Church of Scotland service although he also belonged to the Church of England.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Several biographies detail Balfour's life and career. One notable example is Arthur J. Balfour by Kenneth Young.

Documentaries exploring the history of British politics or the Balfour Declaration may also feature Balfour.

Balfour was frequently depicted in political cartoons and caricatures of the time.

ACHIEVEMENTS Balfour's achievements include serving as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1902 to 1905.

He is perhaps best known for his role in issuing the Balfour Declaration in 1917. The declaration expressed British support for the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine, a decision that had a profound impact on the Middle East.

Beyond the Balfour Declaration, Balfour also played a key role in the development of the British welfare state and the creation of the Irish Free State