Sir Horace Rumbold, 8th Baronet facts for kids

Sir Horace Rumbold

Sir Horace Rumbold, 8th Baronet (born July 2, 1829 – died November 3, 1913) was an important British diplomat. He worked for his country in many different places around the world. He became a Baronet, a special British title, in 1877 after his brother passed away.

A Diplomat's Journey

Horace Rumbold studied privately in Paris. In 1849, he joined the British diplomatic service. This meant he would represent Britain in other countries. His first job was in Turin, which was then the capital of a country called Sardinia-Piedmont.

He then worked in many other European cities. These included Paris, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Vienna, and Ragusa.

Working in China

In 1858, Horace Rumbold became a secretary for the British mission in China. He traveled there in 1859. At that time, Britain was trying to improve its relationship with China. However, the Chinese government resisted British efforts.

In 1860, Horace Rumbold was sent back to England. His job was to tell the British government about the difficulties in China. His report helped lead to a joint British and French military expedition to Beijing later that year. This event was part of the Second Opium War.

Serving Around the World

After his time in China, Rumbold continued his diplomatic career. He held important positions in many different countries.

• He was a secretary in Athens, Bern, St Petersburg, and Constantinople.
• He became a Minister (a senior diplomat) in Chile from 1872 to 1878.
• He then served as Minister to Switzerland from 1878 to 1879.
• Next, he was Minister to Argentina from 1879 to 1881.
• He also served in Sweden and Norway from 1881 to 1884.
• His next posts were in Greece (1884–1888) and the Netherlands (1888–1896).
• Finally, he became the Ambassador to Austria from 1896 to 1900. An Ambassador is the highest-ranking diplomat.

Family Life

Horace Rumbold was the fourth son of Sir William Rumbold, 3rd Baronet. His mother was Henrietta Elizabeth Parkyns.

He was married twice. His first wife was Caroline Burney. She was the daughter of George Harrington, an American diplomat. His second wife was Louisa Anne Crampton.

Horace Rumbold had two sons. His son Horace followed in his footsteps and became a diplomat. He later became the 9th Baronet. His other son, Hugo, became a designer for theater sets and costumes.

Special Honours

Horace Rumbold received many special honours during his life.

• In 1877, he inherited the title of Baronet from his brother.
• He was knighted in 1886, becoming a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG). This is a high honour given by the British monarch.
• In 1892, he was promoted to a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG). This is an even higher rank within the same order.
• In 1896, he became a Privy Counsellor. This means he was a trusted advisor to the British monarch.
• In 1897, he received another great honour. He was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB).

Books by Horace Rumbold

Horace Rumbold also wrote several books about his experiences as a diplomat.

• The great silver river: notes of a residence in Buenos Ayres in 1880 and 1881 (1890)
• An English tribute to the Emperor Francis Joseph (1902)
• Recollections of a diplomatist (1902)
• Further Recollections of a Diplomatist (1903)
• Final recollections of a diplomatist [1885-1900] (1905)
• The Austrian court in the nineteenth century (1909)