Auckland Geddes, 1st Baron Geddes

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Auckland Campbell Geddes, 1st Baron Geddes, GCMG, KCB (June 21, 1879 – June 8, 1954) was a British politician and diplomat.

The son of Auckland Campbell Geddes, he was a Lieutenant (3rd class) in the Highland Light Infantry, from 1901 to 1902, and served in the Second Boer War. From 1906 to 1909, he was an Assistant Professor of Anatomy at Edinburgh University and from 1913 to 1914 he was a Professor of Anatomy at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. From 1913 to 1914, he was a Professor of Anatomy at McGill University. During World War I, he was a Major in the 17th Northumberland Fusiliers and Director of National Service.

In 1917, he was elected as a Unionist Member of Parliament for Basingstoke and served until 1920. From 1919 to 1920 he was the Minister of Reconstruction and President of the Board of Trade.

He was appointed Principal of McGill University in 1919 but never undertook his official duties. He resigned in 1920 when he was appointed British Ambassador to the United States which he served until 1924. As His Majesty's ambassador, Sir Auckland Geddes investigated the treatment of British immigrants at Ellis Island, for which he wrote a report (1923). From 1924 to 1947, he was the Chairman of the Rio Tinto Company and Rhokana Corporation.

In 1906, he married Isabella Gamble Ross. They had three children: Ross Campbell-Geddes, 2nd Baron Geddes, Lt.-Col. Hon. Alexander Campbell-Geddes, and Hon. Margaret Campbell-Geddes who married Prince Louis of Hesse and by Rhine. His brother was Eric Campbell Geddes.

His daughter married Prince Ludwig von Hessen und bei Rhein, last surviving member of this family.

[edit] External link

• The Papers of Sir Auckland Campbell Geddes

Political offices
Preceded by Neville Chamberlain	Director of National Service 1917–1919	Succeeded by Post abolished
Preceded by Sir Albert Henry Stanley	President of the Board of Trade 1919–1920	Succeeded by Robert Horne
Academic Offices
Preceded by William Peterson	Principal of McGill University 1919–1920	Succeeded by Arthur Currie
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Edward Grey, 1st Viscount Grey of Fallodon	British Ambassador to the United States 1920–1924	Succeeded by Sir Esme Howard
Peerage of the United Kingdom
Preceded by New Creation	Baron Geddes 1942–1954	Succeeded by Ross Campbell Geddes