James Eric Drummond
(16th Earl of Perth)

1876 - 1951

Diplomat and politician. Drummond was the first Secretary-General of the League of Nations (1919-33). The League had been set up after the First World War to peacefully settle international disputes, but was greatly weakened by the refusal of the USA to join and the withdrawal of several members. Its functions were transferred to the rather more successful United Nations in 1946.

Drummond went on to serve as British Ambassador to Rome (1933-39). He succeeded to the Earldom of Perth in 1937. Following the outbreak of the Second World War he accepted the post of Chief Advisor on Foreign Publicity at the Ministry of Information (1939-40).

He was Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party (1947-51).

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