Sir Alexander Malet, 2nd Baronet facts for kids
Sir Alexander Malet (1800–1886) was an important English diplomat and writer. A diplomat is someone who represents their country and its interests in other nations. He was also the 2nd Baronet of his family, meaning he inherited a special title from his father, Sir Charles Malet. He spent many years working for Britain in different countries around the world.
Contents
The Life of Sir Alexander Malet
Early Years and Education
Alexander Malet was born in June 1800 at Hartham Park in Wiltshire, England. He was the oldest son of Sir Charles Malet, the first Baronet of their family. When his father passed away in 1815, Alexander inherited the baronetcy.
He went to Winchester College for his schooling. Later, he studied at Christ Church, Oxford University, and finished his degree in 1822.
Starting a Diplomatic Career
In 1824, Alexander Malet began his career in diplomacy. He started as an unpaid assistant in St. Petersburg, Russia. While there, he saw the Decembrist revolt in 1825. This was a rebellion where army officers tried to change the government.
Later, he became a secretary at the British legation in Lisbon, Portugal. This was during the Miguelite War (1832–1834), a conflict over who should rule Portugal. He also worked as a secretary in The Hague, Netherlands. After that, he became the secretary for the British embassy in Vienna, Austria. He then served as the British minister in Württemberg, a German state at the time.
Working with the German States
In 1849, Sir Alexander Malet became the main British representative to the Germanic Confederation in Frankfurt. This was a group of German states that worked together. While in Frankfurt, he became good friends with Prince Otto von Bismarck, who would later become a very famous German leader.
Sir Alexander was in this important role during a time of big changes in Germany. He saw events like the Revolution in Baden and the Battle of Sadowa. This battle led to Austria being removed from the Germanic Confederation.
Retirement and Honors
When the Germanic Confederation ended in 1866, Sir Alexander Malet retired from his diplomatic work. He received a pension, which is money paid regularly after retirement. He was also given the honor of being made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) for his service. Sir Alexander Malet passed away on November 28, 1886.
His Writings
Sir Alexander Malet was also an author. He wrote several books, including:
- Some Account of the System of Fagging at Winchester School, with Remarks … on the late Expulsions thence for resistance to the Authority of the Prefects (1828): This book was about the system of "fagging" at Winchester School, where older students had power over younger ones.
- An English translation of Wace's Roman de Rou (1860): This was a translation of a long poem about the history of the Dukes of Normandy.
- The Overthrow of the Germanic Confederation by Prussia in 1866 (1870): This book explained how Prussia took control and changed the Germanic Confederation.
His Family
In 1834, Sir Alexander Malet married Marianne Dora. She was the only daughter of John Spalding and the stepdaughter of Lord Brougham, a well-known British politician. Sir Alexander and Marianne had two sons:
- Lieutenant-colonel Sir Henry Charles Eden Malet, who became the 3rd Baronet.
- Edward Malet, who also became a diplomat like his father.
