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 five children: Ross Campbell-Geddes, 2nd Baron Geddes, Lt. Col. Hon. Alexander Campbell-Geddes, Hon. Margaret Campbell-Geddes who married Prince Louis of Hesse and by Rhine, Hon. John Reay Campbell-Geddes and Hon. David Campbell-Geddes. His brother was Eric Campbell-Geddes.
His daughter married Prince Louis of Hesse and by Rhine, last surviving member of this family.
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| 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 |
| 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 |
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