Short Biographies
of the
PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS
to be brought before the reader in this volume

AYLESFORD Heneage, 7th Earl of (1849–85); succeeded his father two days after his marriage to Edith (1844–97), third daughter of Colonel Thomas Peers Williams. They had two daughters. A son born to Lady Aylesford in Paris in 1881 was reputed to be the child of the Marquess of Blandford (qv). Aylesford, popularly known as Sporting Joe, was renowned for his lack of success on the Turf and for his violent disposition. He settled in Texas, where he was said to be popular with the cowboys and where he died of heart failure.

BALFOUR Arthur James (1848–1930); eldest son of James Maitland Balfour and Lady Blanche Cecil, second daughter of 2nd Marquess of Salisbury. Succeeded his uncle, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury (qv), as Prime Minister 1902–5 and leader of the Tory Party 1902–11. Conservative MP for Hertford 1874–85, for Manchester East 1885–1906, for City of London 1906–22. For a time a member with Lord Randolph Churchill of the Fourth Party. President of Local Government Board 1885–6; Secretary for Scotland 1886–7; Chief Secretary for Ireland 1887–91; Leader of the House and First Lord of the Treasury 1891–2, 1895–1905. Succeeded WSC as First Lord of the Admiralty 1915; Foreign Secretary 1916–19; Lord President of the Council 1919–22, 1925–9. Earl 1922.

BARING Hugo (1876–1949); sixth son of 1st Baron Revelstoke. Lieutenant 4th Hussars until his resignation 1898. Rejoined Army to serve in Boer War (severely