Sir Ronald William Graham (24 July 1870 – 26 January 1949) was a British diplomat and the British Ambassador to Italy from 1921 to 1933.

Early life

Graham was born in London 24 July 1870 the eldest son of Sir

Henry John Lowndes Graham Sir Henry John Lowndes Graham, (15 January 1842 – 5 December 1930) was a Scottish public servant, Clerk of the Parliaments from 1885 to 1917.

and was educated at

Eton College Eton College () is a public school in Eton, Berkshire, England. It was founded in 1440 by Henry VI under the name ''Kynge's College of Our Ladye of Eton besyde Windesore'',Nevill, p. 3 ff. intended as a sister institution to King's College, ...

Diplomatic service

In 1892 Graham joined the

British Diplomatic Service His Majesty's Diplomatic Service (HMDS) is the diplomatic service of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, dealing with foreign affairs and representing British interests overseas, as opposed to the Home Civil Service, which ...

with his first foreign post at Paris. In 1902, he was promoted to first secretary and worked at the Eastern Department of the Foreign Office, before moving to Cairo as a Counsellor. After a period as Minister at the Hague, he was sworn into Privy Council in 1921 and appointed Ambassador to Italy. He was the British representative during the Fascist Revolution of 1922 when Benito Mussolini came to power. Graham retired in November 1933 and became a trustee of the British Museum from 1937.

Personal life

Graham married Lady Sybil Brodrick, the daughter of the Earl of Midleton in January 1912. Lady Sybil, who was

Maid of honour A maid of honour is a junior attendant of a queen in royal households. The position was and is junior to the lady-in-waiting. The equivalent title and office has historically been used in most European royal courts. Role Traditionally, a queen ...

to Queen Mary from 1911 to 1912, was the sister of

George Brodrick, 2nd Earl of Midleton George St John Brodrick, 2nd Earl of Midleton MC (21 February 1888 – 2 November 1979) was an English aristocrat, landowner and soldier. Early life He was the eldest son of five children born to St John Brodrick, 1st Earl of Midleton by his ...

. His wife died six months after Graham retired and they had no children. Graham died at his home in London aged 78 in 1949.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Graham, Ronald William 1870 births 1949 deaths Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order Civil servants from London Ambassadors of the United Kingdom to Italy People educated at Eton College Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom Grand Officers of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus