18 Facts About Valentine Chirol

Sir Ignatius Valentine Chirol was a British journalist, author, historian and diplomat.

Valentine Chirol was the son of the Rev Alexander Chirol and Harriet Chirol.

Valentine Chirol returned to Paris in 1871, just in time to see the Germans enter the city.

Unsatisfied with the slow pace of life in the Foreign Office, Valentine Chirol returned to travelling where things were much quicker.

Valentine Chirol moved on travelling, to Istanbul and later throughout the Balkans.

Valentine Chirol began as correspondent and editor of The Times travelling across the globe writing about international events.

Valentine Chirol lived there until 1896 and reported on Anglo-German relations.

Valentine Chirol was impressed with Curzon's fine governing calling him "a marvellous man for work".

Valentine Chirol's first visit to India inspired a longtime love for the place to which he would often return throughout his life.

Valentine Chirol's book helped to bring the term Middle East into common usage.

Valentine Chirol dedicated the book to his new friend, Curzon, whom he would soon see again.

Valentine Chirol returned to London by Christmas and just as the Russo-Japanese War was breaking out.

Valentine Chirol later travelled to Washington DC, where he met with Theodore Roosevelt and many members of the US Congress, facilitated by his close friend, Sir Cecil Spring Rice.

Valentine Chirol rejoined the Foreign Office as a diplomat and was on his way to the Balkans as World War I broke out.

Valentine Chirol later travelled to Paris as part of a government delegation whose job it was to work on terms of peace.

Valentine Chirol spent the remainder of his retired life travelling the world to places like Morocco, Egypt, South Africa and, especially, India.

Valentine Chirol died in London in 1929 and was missed by many.

Valentine Chirol was buried in the Brighton Extra Mural Cemetery.