Arthur Godley, 1st Baron Kilbracken facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lord Kilbracken
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Lord Kilbracken in later life
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| Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister | |
| In office 1880–1882 |
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| Prime Minister | William Ewart Gladstone |
| Preceded by | Montagu Corry |
| Succeeded by | Edward Walter Hamilton |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Arthur Godley
17 June 1847 |
| Died | 27 June 1932 (aged 85) |
| Spouse |
Sarah (Sarina) James
(m. 1871) |
| Children | 5 |
| Relatives | Hugh Godley John Robert Godley Charlotte Godley A. D. Godley Alexander Godley |
| Education | Radley College Rugby School |
| Alma mater | Balliol College, Oxford |
| Awards | GCB (1908) |
John Arthur Godley, 1st Baron Kilbracken (born June 17, 1847 – died June 27, 1932) was an important British government official. He had Irish roots and worked for the government for a very long time. He is best known for his role in managing affairs related to India. He was a Permanent Under-Secretary of State for India, which was a very influential position.
Early Life
Arthur Godley was the only son of John Robert Godley and Charlotte Godley. His father was known for trying to improve how British colonies were run. His mother was a great letter-writer and community leader.
From 1850 to 1852, young Arthur lived in New Zealand with his parents. His father is seen as the founder of Canterbury, New Zealand. A painting of Arthur from 1851 is kept at the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch.
Arthur went to Radley College and Rugby School. Later, he studied at Balliol College, Oxford. There, he won a special award called the Gaisford Prize for writing Greek poetry.
Career
Arthur Godley started his career helping important people. From 1872 to 1874, he was an assistant to William Ewart Gladstone, who was the Prime Minister. In 1876, he also became a lawyer.
He was a special member at Hertford College, Oxford from 1874 to 1881. In 1880, Godley became a Commissioner for Inland Revenue, which meant he worked for the government's tax department. He held this job until 1882.
In 1883, he got a very big job. He was made the Under-Secretary of State at the India Office. This was the government department that looked after British India. He stayed in this important role for 26 years, retiring in 1909. In 1913, he was part of a special group that looked into money matters in India.
In 1908, he received a high honor called the GCB. On December 8, 1909, he was given the title of Baron Kilbracken. This made him a Lord, and he became known as Lord Kilbracken.
His own life story, called Reminiscences of Lord Kilbracken, was published in 1931. This was just one year before he passed away.
Personal Life
Lord Kilbracken was a cousin of A. D. Godley, who was also a smart scholar. He married Sarah James on September 26, 1871. Sarah was the daughter of the 1st Baron Northbourne. They were married until her death in 1921.
They had five children together: two sons and three daughters. His oldest son, Hugh, inherited his title and became the 2nd Baron Kilbracken.
