Aretas Akers-Douglas, 2nd Viscount Chilston

Aretas Akers-Douglas, 2nd Viscount Chilston, GCMG, PC (17 February 1876 – 25 July 1947), was a British diplomat. He was Ambassador to the Soviet Union between 1933 and 1938.


The Viscount Chilston

GCMG PC
Ambassador to the Soviet Union
In office
1933–1938
MonarchGeorge V
Edward VIII
George VI
Preceded bySir Esmond Ovey
Succeeded bySir William Seeds
Personal details
Born(1876-02-17)17 February 1876
London, England
Died25 July 1947(1947-07-25) (aged 71)
NationalityBritish
Spouse(s)Amy Jennings-Bramly
(d. 1962)

Background and education

Chilston was born in London, the son of Aretas Akers-Douglas, 1st Viscount Chilston, and Adeline Mary, daughter of Horatio Austen-Smith. He was educated at Eton.[1]

Diplomatic career

Akers-Douglas entered the Diplomatic Service in 1898, and was appointed a Third Secretary in December 1900.[2] He was an officer in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion of The Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment), where he was appointed captain on 15 April 1899. He was seconded for service in Egypt on 14 March 1900.[3]

He held minor positions before being appointed Ambassador to Austria in 1921, a post he held until 1928. He then served as Ambassador to Hungary between 1928 and 1933 and as Ambassador to the Soviet Union between 1933 and 1938. He was appointed a CMG in 1918, a KCMG in 1927 and a GCMG in 1935[1] and was sworn of the Privy Council in 1939.[1][4]

Family

Lord Chilston married Amy, daughter of Major John Robert Jennings-Bramly, in 1903. They had two sons, of whom the eldest, the Hon. Aretas, was killed in a motor accident in 1940. Lord Chilston died in July 1947, aged 71, and was succeeded in the viscountcy by his second and only surviving son, Eric. Lady Chilston died in August 1962.[1]

References

Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Sir Francis Lindley
Ambassador to Austria
19211928
Succeeded by
Sir Eric Phipps
Preceded by
Sir Colville Barclay
Ambassador to Hungary
19281933
Succeeded by
Hon. Sir Patrick Ramsay
Preceded by
Sir Esmond Ovey
Ambassador to the Soviet Union
19331938
Succeeded by
Sir William Seeds
Peerage of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Aretas Akers-Douglas
Viscount Chilston
19261947
Succeeded by
Eric Alexander Akers-Douglas


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