Edward Carlyon Eliot facts for kids

Edward Carlyon Eliot (born April 18, 1870 – died January 1, 1940) was a British administrator. He worked for the Colonial Service, which was a part of the British government that managed its territories around the world. He held many important positions in different countries. He was also awarded the CBE, which stands for Commander of the Order of the British Empire, a special honor.

About Edward Eliot

Edward Eliot was the son of Edward Eliot and Elizabeth Harriette. People described him as a neat, slim man with dark hair. His brother was Charles Eliot, who was also a very important diplomat. Charles served as the Commissioner for British East Africa and later as the Ambassador to Japan.

Edward Eliot married Clara Frances Paterson in 1899. Later, in 1927, he married Alice Marion Shand. They had a son named David in 1935.

Eliot's Career

Edward Eliot had a varied and interesting career before joining the Colonial Service.

• 1888-1892 He worked on cattle ranches in Argentina.
• 1893-1895 He was involved in sugar planting in Demerara, a region in South America.

In 1895, he joined the Colonial Service. This meant he worked for the British government in different parts of the world. Here are some of the important jobs he held:

• 1907-1910 He was a Provincial Commissioner in West Africa.
• 1911-1913 He served as Commissioner and Warden of Tobago, an island in the Caribbean.
• 1913-1919 He became the Resident Commissioner of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony. This was a very important role.
• 1916-1917 He worked as a temporary private secretary to the Governor-General of Australia.
• 1921-1922 He was the Acting Chief Secretary and Deputy Governor of Uganda.
• 1922 He served as the Acting Governor of Uganda.
• 1923-1931 He was the Administrator of Dominica, another Caribbean island.

Improving Conditions in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands

While he was in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Edward Eliot worked hard to make things better for the local people. He focused on improving the conditions related to phosphate mining on Ocean Island. Phosphate is a mineral used in fertilizers.

Eliot wanted to make sure the Banaban villagers received more money, called royalties, from the phosphate that was mined on their land. These royalties were put into a special fund for them. He also wanted to protect their villages from the mining operations, so the diggings wouldn't get too close to their homes.

He faced many challenges, but he eventually succeeded in his efforts. His work helped the Banaban people greatly. Years later, because of the foundations he laid, the Banabans were able to buy a new home in the Fiji islands after World War II.

In 1931, Edward Eliot was appointed CBE in the 1931 New Year Honours List for his dedicated service.

Eliot's Writings

Edward Eliot also wrote some books and reports during his lifetime. These include:

• Gilbert and Ellice Islands Protectorate. Report for 1912-1914 (1915)
• Address to Legislative Council of Dominica (1928)
• Broken Atoms (1938)
• Ocean Island Affairs: Gilbert and Ellice Islands Protectorate (later Colony), 1913-20 (1938)