Lord Lothian and Anglo-American Relations, 1939-1940

This is a print on demand publication. Of all the British “amateur ambassadors” none was more distinguished than Philip Kerr, 11th Marquis of Lothian (1882-1940). His tenure of office was brief -- Aug. 1939 to Dec. 1940 -- but it coincided with a crucial period in British & U.S. history. Recently-opened archives enable one to fill in some important gaps in the history of his life & achievements & to set Lothian’s work in the context of British & U.S. policy-making. This book will shows the strengths & weaknesses of a non-career diplomat. In the end, the successes outweighed the failures, as is shown by examining Lothian’s role as intermediary between Churchill & Roosevelt in the two episodes in Anglo-Amer. diplomacy during 1940, the Destroyers-for-Bases Deal & the origins of Lend-Lease.