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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Anthony Eden
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(1897–1977, KG 1954, earl of Avon 1961) Conservative politician, prime minister 1955–7. His career, which ended in misfortune, had begun early and brilliantly. He entered the House of Commons in 1923 as MP for Warwick and Leamington and in 1935, at the age of 38, became foreign secretary in Baldwin's coalition government. He resigned in 1938 in protest at the attempts by the new prime minister, Neville *Chamberlain, to appease Hitler. Under *Churchill he returned for two later spells as foreign secretary (1940–5 and 1951–5). He succeeded Churchill as prime minister but had not made his mark before being overwhelmed by the *Suez Crisis. The dramatic failure of this military adventure led to a collapse in his already frail health and to his resignation.
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