Origins & Early Life

Edgar Algernon Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 1st Viscount Cecil of Chelwood, (14 September 1864 – 24 November 1958), known as Lord Robert Cecil from 1868 to 1923, was a British lawyer, politician and diplomat. He was one of the architects of the League of Nations and a defender of it, whose service to the organisation saw him awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1937. Cecil was born at Cavendish Square, London, the sixth child and third son of Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, three times prime minister, and Georgina, daughter of Sir Edward Hall Alderson. He was the brother of James Gascoyne-Cecil, 4th Marquess of Salisbury, Lord William Cecil, Lord Edward Cecil and Lord Quickswood and the cousin of Arthur Balfour, with whom he had common grandparents: James Brownlow William Gascoyne-Cecil and Frances Mary Gascoyne (1802–1839), the only daughter and heiress of Bamber Gascoyne (1757–1824) of Childwall, Liverpool, Lancashire, member of Parliament for Liverpool (1780–96).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Cecil was educated at home until he was thirteen and then spent four years at Eton College. He claimed in his autobiography to have enjoyed his home education most. He studied law...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Akashi Motojiro — Contemporary (Born in 1864) (1864): General in the Imperial Japanese Army and Governor-General of Taiwan.
• Alvah Curtis Roebuck — Contemporary (Born in 1864) (1864): Co-founder of Sears, Roebuck and Company, pioneering American retail businessman.
• Banjo Paterson — Contemporary (Born in 1864) (1864): Iconic Australian bush poet, journalist, and author of 'Waltzing Matilda'
• Alec Baldwin — Contemporary (Born in 1958) (1958): Versatile American actor known for dramatic depth and comedic timing.
• Andie MacDowell — Contemporary (Born in 1958) (1958): Acclaimed American actress and model known for romantic and dramatic roles.
• Andre Geim — Contemporary (Born in 1958) (1958): Pioneering physicist known for groundbreaking work on graphene and Nobel laureate.
• Alexander von Humboldt — Shared historical date (09-14 · Born) (1769): German polymath, geographer, and naturalist who pioneered biogeography and modern science.
• Allan Bloom — Shared historical date (09-14 · Born) (1930): American philosopher and classicist known for championing Great Books education.
• Arundhati Roy — Shared historical date (11-24 · Born) (1961): Acclaimed Indian author and fierce political activist known for human rights advocacy.
• Baruch Spinoza — Shared historical date (11-24 · Born) (1632): Radical philosopher of the Dutch Golden Age, known for his pantheistic metaphysics.
• 1864 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1864
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• 1958 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1958
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