Alec Douglas-Home (Douglas-Home Alec)

(1903-1995)
Full name - Alexander Frederick Douglas-Home. Born July 2, 1903 in London, was educated at Eton and Christ Church College, Oxford University. Political career of Douglas-Hume began in 1931, when he was elected to the House of Commons of Southern District of Lanark. In 1937-1939 was parliamentary private secretary to Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. During the Second World War, Douglas-Home for a short time involved in the actions of the British Army. In 1943 he returned to parliament and two years later was appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. In the election in 1945 lost, and in 1950 again took his seat in the House of Commons. In 1951, inherited the title Earl of Hume and moved to the House of Lords. Later that same year was appointed Minister of State for Scotland. In 1955 became the Minister of the Commonwealth, and in 1960 Prime Minister Harold Macmillan Douglas-Home appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs.
When, in 1963 Macmillan resigned, he left Douglas-Home his successor as party leader and prime minister. Since the beginning of the 20 in. Prime Minister of Great Britain traditionally occupied a seat in the House of Commons, Douglas-Home renounced his hereditary title, and signed up to participate in the by-election in the House of Commons, which won. He held that post until October 1964, when the Conservatives were defeated in the general election. In 1965, resigned as party leader. He became foreign minister in the Conservative government of Edward Heath (1970-1974). Life peerages were returned to Douglas-Home in 1974, after he ceased to participate in public life. Douglas-Home died on his estate Bervikshir October 9, 1995.