American material in the papers of Sir Esme Howard, 1906-1930

Catalogue record

Notes

Esme Howard was one of the greatest British diplomatists in the first half of the twentieth century and one of its most successful ambassadors to the United States. The notable improvement in the tone and substance of Anglo-American relations in the 1920s is due in large measure to his sure diplomatic touch. Howard is particularly memorable for his early and effective use of modern techniques of public diplomacy, which saw him travel to most parts of the United States, and to be the first person to make a radio broadcast from Washington to London. His papers from the period of his service at Washington go beyond purely Anglo-American topics, and cover imperial relations, in particular the issue of separate dominion diplomatic representation and imperial cooperation.
In his earlier life Howard had travelled widely in North America on his own, served an apprenticeship in Washington as counsellor in the embassy (1906-08) of the redoubtable James Bryce, before himself being named as ambassador (1924-30). He was one of the longest serving of any British ambassador at Washington. Howard had served in a number of taxing posts throughout his career and had served with distinction in the army during the Boer War. All this proved a robust preparation for what proved to be the capstone of his career.
A member of the famous Howard family that had played a notable role in British history, Howard was an intimate of major political figures with a wide network of diplomatic friends, and conducted an active correspondence. His papers provide a vivid picture of life in Anglo-American diplomacy in the early twentieth century, as well as providing a rich source of material on the shaping and conduct of British foreign and imperial policy. On his retirement he was rewarded with a seat in the House of Lords, and continued an active correspondence until his death in 1939. Derived from the personal papers of Sir Esme Howard at Cumbria Archive Service.

Accompanied by a scholarly introduction to the collection by Professor Erik Goldstein, Boston University. Published May 2014.