12 Facts About Edwin Montagu

Edwin Samuel Montagu PC was a British Liberal politician who served as Secretary of State for India between 1917 and 1922.

Edwin Montagu was the second son and sixth child of Samuel Edwin Montagu, 1st Baron Swaythling, by his wife Ellen, daughter of Louis Cohen.

Edwin Montagu was educated at Doreck College, Clifton College, the City of London School, University College London and Trinity College, Cambridge.

Edwin Montagu was elected Member of Parliament for Chesterton in 1906, a seat he held until 1918, and then represented Cambridgeshire until 1922.

Edwin Montagu was a friend of Asquith, Gertrude Bell, Lord Lloyd, Maurice Hankey and Duff Cooper, with whom he dined frequently.

Edwin Montagu was not initially part of Lloyd George's inner circle, when he became Prime Minister, but he remained in office until his resignation in March 1922.

Edwin Montagu was opposed by his cousin Herbert Samuel, a moderate Zionist, who became the first High Commissioner of the British Mandate of Palestine.

In 1912, Edwin Montagu accompanied the prime minister on holiday in Sicily.

Edwin Montagu liked him but did not reciprocate his love.

Also, Edwin Montagu had to marry within his Jewish faith to keep his inheritance.

Edwin Montagu converted to Judaism, and the couple were wed on 26 July 1915.

Edwin Montagu grew up to befriend Princess Margaret during World War II and marry the American photographer Milton Gendel, with whom she created an artistic salon in Italy.