Ernest James Lennox Berkeley Explained

Sir Ernest James Lennox Berkeley (31 May 1857 – 24 October 1932) was a British military officer and administrator, who served as the British Consul-General for Uganda 1894 to 1899 and Tunis between 1899 and 1920.[1]

Early life

Berkeley was born illegitimately, the son of George Lennox Rawdon Berkeley, 7th Earl of Berkeley and Cécile Drummond.[1] He was educated at Royal Academy School in Gosport and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.[1]

Career

In 1876 he was commissioned into the British Army, becoming first a sub-lieutenant in the 57th Foot and the following year he transferred to the 60th Rifles.[2] He resigned from the army in September 1877.[2]

After leaving the army, he pursued a career in political service, and in 1885 he became the British Vice Consul for East Africa. He subsequently passed examinations and in 1891 was appointed Consul for Zanzibar.[3] He simultaneously acted as Administrator of the Imperial British East Africa Company's territories between 1891 and 1892.[1] He was appointed as the British Commissioner and Consul-General for Uganda between 1895 and 1899. He thereafter left East Africa, when he was made Consul-General for Tunis in the French protectorate of Tunisia between 1899 and 1920. He was made a Companion of the Bath in 1897 and Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1921.[4]

Death

He died on 24 October 1932 aged 75.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ernest James Lennox Berkeley. The Peerage.
  2. Great Britain. Foreign Office, The Foreign Office List, Harrison, 1906, p.173
  3. Joan Plubell Mattia, Walking the Rift: Idealism and Imperialism in East Africa, Alfred Robert Tucker (1890-1911), Wipf and Stock Publishers, 24 May 2017, p.195
  4. Web site: Ernest James Lennox Berkeley. The Saleroom.