Harry Crookshank facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Viscount Crookshank
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| Minister of Health | |
| In office 30 October 1951 – 7 May 1952 |
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| Monarch | George VI Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Winston Churchill |
| Preceded by | Hilary Marquand |
| Succeeded by | Iain Macleod |
| Leader of the House of Commons | |
| In office 30 October 1951 – 20 December 1955 |
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| Monarch | George VI Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Winston Churchill Sir Anthony Eden |
| Preceded by | James Chuter Ede |
| Succeeded by | Rab Butler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 May 1893 Cairo, Egypt |
| Died | 17 October 1961 (aged 68) Chelsea, London |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Alma mater | Magdalen College, Oxford |
Harry Frederick Comfort Crookshank, also known as the 1st Viscount Crookshank, was an important British politician. He was born on May 27, 1893, and passed away on October 17, 1961. He was a member of the Conservative Party.
He held several key roles in the British government. From 1951 to 1952, he served as the Minister of Health. He was also the Leader of the House of Commons from 1951 to 1955. This meant he helped manage the government's business in Parliament.
Early Life and Education
Harry Crookshank was born in Cairo, Egypt. His father was Harry Maule Crookshank. His mother was Emma, whose father was Major Samuel Comfort from New York City. His family had a long history in public service.
He attended two famous schools in England. First, he went to Eton, which is a well-known boarding school. After that, he studied at Magdalen College, Oxford, a part of the famous University of Oxford.
During the First World War, Harry Crookshank joined the army. He was a captain in the Grenadier Guards. He showed great bravery during the war. He was even honored by Serbia with the Order of the White Eagle and a Gold Medal for Valour.
After the war, in 1919, he joined the Diplomatic Service. This meant he worked for the British government in other countries. He worked at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., until 1924.
Political Career Highlights
In 1924, Harry Crookshank was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP). He represented the area of Gainsborough. He held this seat in Parliament for 32 years.
He started working in the government in 1934. He became the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department. This was under Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald. When Stanley Baldwin became Prime Minister in 1935, Crookshank was made Secretary for Mines. He kept this job until 1939.
In 1939, he became a member of the Privy Council. This is a group of senior advisors to the British monarch. He also became the Financial Secretary to the Treasury. He continued in this role when Winston Churchill became Prime Minister in 1940.
Later, from 1943 to 1945, he served as the Postmaster General. This role was in charge of the postal service.
When the Conservative Party returned to power in 1951, Harry Crookshank received important roles. He was appointed Minister of Health. He also became the Leader of the House of Commons. These roles gave him a seat in the Prime Minister's Cabinet.
In 1952, he changed his role from Minister of Health to Lord Privy Seal. This was a less demanding job, but he remained the Leader of the House of Commons. He continued in these positions until December 1955. The last year was under Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden.
In 1955, he was given a special honor called a Companion of Honour. He retired from the House of Commons in 1956. After his retirement, he was given the title of Viscount Crookshank. This made him a member of the House of Lords.
Records show that in 1954, Harry Crookshank, along with Harold Macmillan, was part of a group that disagreed with a plan. They opposed quickly approving a British thermonuclear bomb programme. They wanted more discussion before such a big decision.
Later Life and Legacy
Lord Crookshank was a Freemason and held a high position in Lincolnshire.
He lived at 51 Pont Street, Kensington, London, from 1937. In 1947, he hosted a meeting there. At this meeting, some Members of Parliament tried to get Winston Churchill removed as the leader of their party. However, their attempt was not successful.
Harry Crookshank passed away from cancer in Chelsea, London, in October 1961. He was 68 years old. Since he did not have any children, his title of Viscount ended with him. His funeral service was held at Westminster Abbey, a very important church in London. He was then buried at Lincoln Cathedral. His sister, Helen Elizabeth Comfort Crookshank, is buried next to him.
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Images for kids
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The coat of arms of Viscount Crookshank
