Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh

The Most Honourable Robert Stewart, 2nd Marquess of Londonderry, (June 18, 1769 – August 12, 1822), known until 1821 by his courtesy title of Viscount Castlereagh, was an Anglo-Irish politician born in Dublin who represented the United Kingdom at the Congress of Vienna. He was also intimately involved in securing the controversial passage of the Irish Act of Union. He was the son of Robert Stewart, 1st Marquess of Londonderry, a landowner who was created an earl and subsequently a marquess by King George III of the United Kingdom. He received his early education at The Royal School, Armagh. Additionally, the elder Robert Stewart was also known as The Viscount Castlereagh for about one year.

Diplomatist

After serving in various positions in the Pitt and Addington governments, Castlereagh became Secretary of State for War and the Colonies in the Duke of Portland's administration in 1807. In that role he became involved in disputes with Foreign Secretary George Canning over the failure of the Walcheren Expedition, and the two fought a duel late in 1809. This forced both of their resignations from the government.

Related Topics:
Secretary of State for War and the Colonies - Duke of Portland's - 1807 - Foreign Secretary - George Canning - Walcheren Expedition - 1809

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Three years later, in 1812, Castlereagh returned to the government, this time as Foreign Secretary, a role in which he served for the next ten years, He also became leader of the House of Commons in the wake of Spencer Perceval's assassination in 1812. In his role of Foreign Secretary he was instrumental in negotiating what has become known as a quadruple alliance between the United Kingdom, Austria, Russia and Prussia at Chaumont in March 1814, in the negotiation of the Treaty of Paris that brought peace with France, and at the Congress of Vienna. At the Congress of Vienna, Castlereagh designed and proposed a form of collective and collaborative security for Europe, then called a Congress system. According to the Congress system the main signatory powers were to meet periodically (every two years or so) and collectively manage European Affairs. The following ten years saw five European Congresses where disputes were resolved with a diminishing degree of effectiveness. Finally, by 1822, the whole system had collapsed because of the unreconcilable differences of opinion between the United Kingdom, Austria and Russia, and because of the lack of support for the Congress system in British public opinion.

Related Topics:
1812 - Spencer Perceval - Austria - Russia - Prussia - Chaumont - Treaty of Paris - Congress of Vienna - Europe - Congress system

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the years 1812 to 1822, Castlereagh continued to competently manage Britain's foreign policy, generally pursuing a policy of continental engagement uncharacteristic of British foreign policy in the nineteenth century.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Castlereagh was not known to be an effective public speaker and his diplomatic presentation style was at times abstruse. He did however enjoy a great reputation for integrity, consistency and good will, which was perhaps unmatched by any diplomat of his time. His views on foreign policy were, unfortunately, ahead of his time and his country's insular world view.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~