Frederick Whyte
Encyclopedia
Sir Alexander Frederick Whyte KCSI
(1883–1970) was a British civil servant, Liberal Party
politician, writer, and journalist.
, and Jane Elizabeth Barbour, who married in 1881.
He entered Parliament as the Member of Parliament
(MP) for Perth
(1910–1918), during which time he had been parliamentary private secretary
(1910–1915) to Winston Churchill
, who was Home Secretary
(1910–1911), and then First Lord of the Admiralty (1911–15) at the time.
During the Great War
, Whyte was a lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on special service (1914–17).
He was appointed the first President of the Central Legislative Assembly
in India (1920–25). He then took on ambassadorial roles; as political advisor to the National Government of China
(1929–32), Director General of the English-Speaking Union
(1938), and Head of the American division of the Ministry of Information
(1939–40).
He was also involved in journalism
, as the founder and editor of The New Europe (1917–1920), a well-known weekly read by political leaders and students, the author of numerous books discussing the politics and economics of the Orient, and the biographer of renowned journalist William Thomas Stead
.
Aside from these political roles, Sir Frederick was Chairman of the Indian Red Cross Society (1923) and Reindeer Council of the United Kingdom, as well as being a member of the Athenaeum Club
, founded in Liverpool
in the late 18th century for the exchange of ideas.
Sir Alexander Frederick was knighted in 1922, and in 1925 a Knight Commander of the Star of India
was conferred in Birthday Honours
. Though gazetted on June 3, 1925 as Sir Alexander Whyte, he may have adopted the use of his middle name to avoid confusion with a Sir Alexander Whyte employed as a government botanist under the British administration in Malawi
, where he established Zomba Botanic Garden between 1891 and 1895.
It is unclear what involvement in public life Sir Frederick played following 1940. He was no longer at the Ministry of Information, but there is reference to him as Chairman of the recently founded Reindeer Council of the United Kingdom in the Nature International Weekly Journal of Science of November 1949, following proposals to introduce reindeer to Britain.
Further correspondence suggests that as late as 1958, Sir Frederick still had some association with the Indian Red Cross and St. John Ambulance
Association and Brigade. A passenger list of that year reveals that Sir Alexander and Lady Fairweather Whyte set sail from Tenerife
to England by first class, and Sir Alexander is described as a director.
In 1927, Sir Frederick sat for the photographer Walter Stoneman (1876–1958), and the bromide
print along with two negatives remain part of the National Portrait Gallery’s collection.
, in 1912, with whom he had three children:
Sir Ernest Burdon (1881–1957), a fellow member of the Indian Civil Service, was Sir Frederick Whyte’s brother-in-law on account of Sir Ernest’s second marriage, to Mary Isabella, daughter of Rev W. Fairweather, in 1922.
Order of the Star of India
The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion...
(1883–1970) was a British civil servant, Liberal Party
Liberal Party (UK)
The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day...
politician, writer, and journalist.
Biography
Alexander Frederick Whyte was born on 30 September 1883, the second of eight children, and eldest son born to the Reverend Alexander Whyte DDDoctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
, and Jane Elizabeth Barbour, who married in 1881.
He entered Parliament as the Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MP) for Perth
Perth (UK Parliament constituency)
Perth was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1832 to 1918, 1918 to 1950, and 1997 to 2005. From 1832 to 1918 it was a burgh constituency. From 1918 to 1950, and 1997 to 2005, it was a county constituency...
(1910–1918), during which time he had been parliamentary private secretary
Parliamentary Private Secretary
A Parliamentary Private Secretary is a role given to a United Kingdom Member of Parliament by a senior minister in government or shadow minister to act as their contact for the House of Commons; this role is junior to that of Parliamentary Under-Secretary, which is a ministerial post, salaried by...
(1910–1915) to Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
, who was Home Secretary
Home Secretary
The Secretary of State for the Home Department, commonly known as the Home Secretary, is the minister in charge of the Home Office of the United Kingdom, and one of the country's four Great Offices of State...
(1910–1911), and then First Lord of the Admiralty (1911–15) at the time.
During the Great War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Whyte was a lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on special service (1914–17).
He was appointed the first President of the Central Legislative Assembly
Central Legislative Assembly
The Central Legislative Assembly was a legislature for India created by the Government of India Act 1919 from the former Imperial Legislative Council, implementing the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms...
in India (1920–25). He then took on ambassadorial roles; as political advisor to the National Government of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
(1929–32), Director General of the English-Speaking Union
English-Speaking Union
The English-Speaking Union is an international educational charity which was founded by the journalist Evelyn Wrench in 1918. The ESU aims to "bring together and empower people of different languages and cultures," by building skills and confidence in communication, such that individuals realize...
(1938), and Head of the American division of the Ministry of Information
Minister of Information
The Ministry of Information , headed by the Minister of Information, was a United Kingdom government department created briefly at the end of World War I and again during World War II...
(1939–40).
He was also involved in journalism
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
, as the founder and editor of The New Europe (1917–1920), a well-known weekly read by political leaders and students, the author of numerous books discussing the politics and economics of the Orient, and the biographer of renowned journalist William Thomas Stead
William Thomas Stead
William Thomas Stead was an English journalist and editor who, as one of the early pioneers of investigative journalism, became one of the most controversial figures of the Victorian era. His 'New Journalism' paved the way for today's tabloid press...
.
Aside from these political roles, Sir Frederick was Chairman of the Indian Red Cross Society (1923) and Reindeer Council of the United Kingdom, as well as being a member of the Athenaeum Club
Liverpool Athenaeum
The Athenaeum originated as a gentlemen's club in Liverpool, England. It has been in continuous use since the end of the 18th century. The club was founded to ensure the up-to-date provision of newspapers and pamphlets, and to create a library for the use of the merchants and professional...
, founded in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
in the late 18th century for the exchange of ideas.
Sir Alexander Frederick was knighted in 1922, and in 1925 a Knight Commander of the Star of India
Star of India
The Star of India may refer to:* Star of India , one of the largest star sapphires in the world* Star of India , British Indian flag* Order of the Star of India , an order of chivalry associated with British India...
was conferred in Birthday Honours
Queen's Birthday Honours
The Queen's Birthday Honours is a part of the British honours system, being a civic occasion on the celebration of the Queen's Official Birthday in which new members of most Commonwealth Realms honours are named. The awards are presented by the reigning monarch or head of state, currently Queen...
. Though gazetted on June 3, 1925 as Sir Alexander Whyte, he may have adopted the use of his middle name to avoid confusion with a Sir Alexander Whyte employed as a government botanist under the British administration in Malawi
Malawi
The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its size...
, where he established Zomba Botanic Garden between 1891 and 1895.
It is unclear what involvement in public life Sir Frederick played following 1940. He was no longer at the Ministry of Information, but there is reference to him as Chairman of the recently founded Reindeer Council of the United Kingdom in the Nature International Weekly Journal of Science of November 1949, following proposals to introduce reindeer to Britain.
Further correspondence suggests that as late as 1958, Sir Frederick still had some association with the Indian Red Cross and St. John Ambulance
St. John Ambulance
St John Ambulance, branded as St John in some territories, is a common name used by a number of affiliated organisations in different countries dedicated to the teaching and practice of medical first aid and the provision of ambulance services, all of which derive their origins from the St John...
Association and Brigade. A passenger list of that year reveals that Sir Alexander and Lady Fairweather Whyte set sail from Tenerife
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest and most populous island of the seven Canary Islands, it is also the most populated island of Spain, with a land area of 2,034.38 km² and 906,854 inhabitants, 43% of the total population of the Canary Islands. About five million tourists visit Tenerife each year, the...
to England by first class, and Sir Alexander is described as a director.
In 1927, Sir Frederick sat for the photographer Walter Stoneman (1876–1958), and the bromide
Bromide
A bromide is a chemical compound containing bromide ion, that is bromine atom with effective charge of −1. The class name can include ionic compounds such as caesium bromide or covalent compounds such as sulfur dibromide.-Natural occurrence:...
print along with two negatives remain part of the National Portrait Gallery’s collection.
Family
Alexander Frederick married Margaret Emily Fairweather, the eldest daughter of the Reverend W. Fairweather DD of KirkcaldyKirkcaldy
Kirkcaldy is a town and former royal burgh in Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. The town lies on a shallow bay on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth; SSE of Glenrothes, ENE of Dunfermline, WSW of Dundee and NNE of Edinburgh...
, in 1912, with whom he had three children:
- Joan Elizabeth Fairweather
- Anne Mortimer
- Alexander Hamilton
Sir Ernest Burdon (1881–1957), a fellow member of the Indian Civil Service, was Sir Frederick Whyte’s brother-in-law on account of Sir Ernest’s second marriage, to Mary Isabella, daughter of Rev W. Fairweather, in 1922.
Publications
- India, a federation? (Government of India Press, 1926)
- China and foreign powers (H. Milford, Oxford University Press, 1927)
- China and foreign powers (Oxford University Press, 1928)
- The unfinished task (Houghton Mifflin company, 1933)
- A British view of Pacific affairs in 1936 (Royal Institute of International Affairs, 1936)
- World Outlook (1939)
- India, a bird's eye view (The Royal Institute of International Affairs, 1942)
- India (The Royal Insititute of International affairs, Oxford University Press, 1942)
- Japan's purpose in Asia and the Pacific (The Royal Institute of International Affairs, Oxford University Press, 1942)
- India (The Royal Institute of International Affairs, 1944)
- The rise and fall of Japan (The Royal Institute of International Affairs, 1945)
- The Pattern of Pacific Security A Report by a Chatham HouseChatham HouseChatham House, formally known as The Royal Institute of International Affairs, is a non-profit, non-governmental organization based in London whose mission is to analyse and promote the understanding of major international issues and current affairs. It is regarded as one of the world's leading...
Study Group (Norman Bentwich, G E Hubbard et al.. A Chatham House Study Group, 1946)
Sources
- Who’s WhoWho's Who (UK)Who's Who is an annual British publication of biographies which vary in length of about 30,000 living notable Britons.-History:...
(1927) A & C BlackA & C BlackA & C Black is a British book publishing company.The firm was founded in 1807 by Adam and Charles Black in Edinburgh, and moved to the Soho district of London in 1889. In 1851, the firm bought the copyright of Walter Scott's Waverley Novels for £27,000. In 1902 it published P. G... - TimeTime (magazine)Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
, June 28, 1926.