The New Student's Reference Work/Clarendon, George William Frederick Villiers, Earl of

Clarendon, George William Frederick Villiers, Earl of, an English diplomatist, was born in London, Jan. 12, 1800. He was a man of genius and charming manners, of rare tact and perfect temper, qualities which insured his success in the diplomatic service, in which he became distinguished. As ambassador to Spain, in 1833, he used the large influence which he soon gained in helping Espartero to establish the government of Spain on a constitutional basis. In 1847 he became lord-lieutenant of Ireland, where he had a rebellion and a famine to contend with. In 1853 he was placed at the head of the foreign office, and upon him fell the responsibility of the Crimean War and at its close the negotiations in regard to the balance of power in Europe. He died on June 27, 1870.