23 Facts About Alexander Cadogan

Alexander Cadogan was Permanent Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs from 1938 to 1946.

Alexander Cadogan's diaries are a source of great value and give a sharp sense of the man and his life.

Alexander Cadogan was part of the delegation that accompanied Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Winston Churchill at the Atlantic Conference with President of the United States Franklin Roosevelt, where parties agreed to the Atlantic Charter.

Alexander Cadogan was the brother of Henry Cadogan, Viscount Chelsea, Gerald Cadogan, 6th Earl Cadogan, William Cadogan, and Sir Edward Cadogan.

Alexander Cadogan was educated at Eton and Balliol College, Oxford, where he read History.

Alexander Cadogan had a distinguished career in the Diplomatic Service, serving from 1908 to 1950.

Alexander Cadogan was less confident about the prospects of success for the Disarmament Conference in Geneva and became quite frustrated at the lack of trust necessary for joint disarmament.

In 1933, with Adolf Hitler in power and the fate of the Disarmament Conference clear, Alexander Cadogan accepted a posting at the British legation in Peking.

Alexander Cadogan met with Chiang Kai-shek and attempted to persuade him of Britain's support.

In 1936, Alexander Cadogan received a request from the newly appointed Secretary of State, Anthony Eden, offering him the post of joint Deputy Under-Secretary.

Alexander Cadogan regretted leaving China so suddenly but took up the offer and returned to London.

Alexander Cadogan grew impatient with the lack of strategic direction in the Foreign Office.

In 1938, Alexander Cadogan replaced Robert Vansittart as Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office.

Alexander Cadogan considered his predecessor's style to be emotional and disordered compared to his own terse and efficient manner.

Alexander Cadogan served in this capacity from 1938 to 1946 and represented Britain at the Dumbarton Oaks Conference in 1944, where he became well acquainted with Edward Stettinius and Andrei Gromyko.

In preparation for the Yalta Conference, Alexander Cadogan expended a great deal of effort attempting to bring the "London Poles" under Stanislaw Mikolajczyk around to the idea of losing their eastern territories to the Soviet Union.

Alexander Cadogan then accompanied the British delegation to the Yalta Conference in 1945.

Alexander Cadogan served in this capacity from 1946 to 1950.

Alexander Cadogan was widely respected for his ability, character and experience.

In 1952, Alexander Cadogan was made Chairman of Board of Governors of the BBC by Winston Churchill, who had returned to office the previous year.

Alexander Cadogan's diaries were published posthumously by Cassell in 1971, under the title The Diaries of Alexander Cadogan OM.

Alexander Cadogan was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1939, a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1941, admitted to the Privy Council in 1946 and appointed to the Order of Merit in 1951.

Alexander Cadogan married Lady Theodosia Acheson, daughter of Archibald Acheson, 4th Earl of Gosford, in 1912.