Balfour, Arthur James

Balfour, Arthur James

(1848-1930)

British Conservative politician, prime minister 1902-05 and foreign secretary 1916-19, when he issued the Balfour Declaration 1917 and was involved in peace negotiations after World War I, signing the Treaty of Versailles.

Son of a Scottish landowner, Balfour was elected a Conservative member of Parliament 1874. In Lord Salisbury’s ministry he was secretary for Ireland 1887, and for his ruthless vigour was called ‘Bloody Balfour’ by Irish nationalists. In 1891 and again in 1895 he became First Lord of the Treasury and leader of the Commons, and in 1902 he succeeded Salisbury as prime minister. His cabinet was divided over Joseph Chamberlain’s tariff-reform proposals, and in the 1905 elections suffered a crushing defeat.

Balfour retired from the party leadership 1911. In 1915 he joined the Asquith coalition as First Lord of the Admiralty. As foreign secretary 1916-19 he issued the Balfour Declaration in favour of a national home in Palestine for the Jews. He was Lord President of the Council 1919-22 and 1925-29. Created 1st Earl of Balfour 1922. He also wrote books on philosophy.