ADVERTISEMENT

Last Updated:
2024-04-02 11:40:29

Alec Douglas-Home

British Prime Minister
British Prime Minister

Alec Douglas-Home served as UK Prime Minister from 1963 to 1964. Notable for renouncing peerage and moving to House of Commons. Known for Foreign Secretary roles.

Community for Timeline Editors
Place where unique editors like you interact
1903-07-02
Birth of Alec Douglas-Home

Alec Douglas-Home, the British Prime Minister, was born on July 2, 1903.

1936
Douglas-Home's marriage to Elizabeth Alington

In 1936, Douglas-Home married Elizabeth Alington at Durham Cathedral. The ceremony was conducted by her father, Cyril Alington, who had been Douglas-Home's headmaster at Eton.

1942
Dunglass's Incapacity and Recovery

In 1942, Dunglass was encased in plaster and kept flat on his back for most of the year due to a medical condition. Despite feeling hopeless at times, he was later released from the plaster jacket and fitted with a spinal brace, becoming mobile again in early 1943.

1943-07
Dunglass's Return to House of Commons

In July 1943, Dunglass attended the House of Commons for the first time since 1940. He started to build a reputation as a backbench member, particularly known for his expertise in foreign affairs and advocating for strong European ties post-war.

1944
Dunglass's Speech on Soviet Union

In 1944, as the Allies were gaining advantage in the war, Dunglass spoke boldly about resisting the Soviet Union's ambition to dominate eastern Europe. He publicly urged Churchill not to give in to Joseph Stalin, emphasizing the importance of standing up against Russian aggression.

1950-02-23
Member of Parliament for Lanark

Alec Douglas-Home served as a Member of Parliament representing Lanark from February 23, 1950, to July 11, 1951.

1951-07-11
Alec Douglas-Home vacated his Commons seat at Lanark

Alec Douglas-Home automatically vacated his Commons seat at Lanark on 11 July 1951 after succeeding his father and going to the House of Lords as the 14th Earl of Home.

1952
Royal Cypher Controversy in Scotland

In 1952, a controversy arose in Scotland regarding the royal cypher on Post Office pillar boxes. Due to historical reasons, some nationalists argued that Queen Elizabeth II should be styled as 'Elizabeth I' in Scotland. Dunglass oversaw the decoration of new pillar boxes with the royal crown instead of the full cypher.

1956
Suez Crisis and Alec Douglas-Home's role in maintaining Commonwealth unity

During the Suez Crisis in 1956, Alec Douglas-Home played a crucial role in maintaining Commonwealth unity. While Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa supported the invasion of Egypt, other Commonwealth countries like Canada, Ceylon, India, and Pakistan opposed it. Home worked to prevent the Commonwealth from breaking up by supporting the invasion and using his diplomatic contacts.

1962
Sir Alec Douglas-Home created Knight of the Thistle

In 1962, Sir Alec Douglas-Home was created a Knight of the Thistle, which is why he retained the title 'Sir' even after relinquishing certain peerages. The Knight of the Thistle is a prestigious order of chivalry in Scotland.

1962-04-25
Prime Minister Douglas-Home's Visit to New York City

Prime Minister Douglas-Home arrived in the U.S. on April 25, 1962, and visited New York City.

1963-08-05
Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

The Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was negotiated and signed in 1963 by Alec Douglas-Home, along with his American and Soviet counterparts. The treaty aimed to ban nuclear testing in the atmosphere, outer space, and under water, and was seen as a step towards ending the Cold War.

1963-10-18
Became Prime Minister

Sir Alec Douglas-Home became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on 18 October 1963, succeeding Harold Macmillan.

1963-10-19
Alec Douglas-Home becomes Prime Minister

Alec Douglas-Home became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on October 19, 1963, following a series of political maneuvers and controversies within the Conservative Party. His appointment was met with criticism and skepticism from various media outlets and political figures.

1963-10-20
Alec Douglas-Home's Conservative Party forms British government

In October 1963, Alec Douglas-Home's Conservative Party forms the British government after Harold Macmillan's resignation.

1963-10-23
Alec Douglas-Home Rejects Peerage

On October 23, 1963, Alec Douglas-Home rejected his peerage and became Sir Alec Douglas-Home, despite being a strong candidate for the leadership of the Conservative Party.

1963-11-07
Alec Douglas-Home Wins Kinross and West Perthshire Constituency

On November 7, 1963, Alec Douglas-Home contested and won the constituency of Kinross and West Perthshire, solidifying his position as a Prime Minister.

1963-11-08
Member of Parliament for Kinross and Western Perthshire

Alec Douglas-Home served as a Member of Parliament representing Kinross and Western Perthshire from November 8, 1963, to September 20, 1974.

1964-10-15
General Election and Conservative Defeat

On October 15, 1964, a general election took place in the UK, resulting in a Conservative defeat. This event marked the end of Sir Alec Douglas-Home's term as Prime Minister.

1964-10-16
End of Alec Douglas-Home's Premiership

Alec Douglas-Home's term as Prime Minister ended on October 16, 1964, after losing the 1964 general election to Harold Wilson.

1974-10
Douglas-Home steps down and accepts life peerage

After the defeat of the Heath government in the February 1974 general election, Douglas-Home, aged 70, stepped down at the second election of that year in October. He accepted a life peerage and became known as Baron Home of the Hirsel.

1974-12
Creation of Life Peerage

In December 1974, Sir Alec Douglas-Home was created a life peer with the title Baron Home of the Hirsel of Coldstream.

1983
Publication of 'Letters to a Grandson'

In 1983, Sir Alec Douglas-Home published 'Letters to a Grandson', possibly sharing his wisdom and experiences with the younger generation.

1989
Douglas-Home's last speech in the House of Lords

In 1989, Douglas-Home gave his last speech in the House of Lords where he spoke against proposals for prosecuting war criminals living in Britain. He emphasized the dangers of relying on memories of events that occurred a long time ago.

1990
Douglas-Home's withdrawal from public affairs

After the death of his wife in 1990, Douglas-Home's withdrawal from public affairs became more pronounced. This marked a significant shift in his engagement with political matters.

1995-10-09
Death

He passed away on October 9, 1995, in Scotland.

End of the Timeline
Alec Douglas-Home

Information

Alec Douglas-Home

British Prime Minister
Last Updated:

🫵Contribute to this content!
Your input benefits people around the world
See something to add or edit? Simply click the edit button below to make a difference! All you need is a quick sign in.
💬Join our discord community!
Connect and collaborate
Become part of our vibrant community! Share your thoughts, ask questions, and connect with other passionate editors.
Join Discord

Event

Last Updated:

🫵Contribute to this content!
Your input benefits people around the world
See something to add or edit? Simply click the edit button below to make a difference! All you need is a quick sign in.
💬Join our discord community!
Connect and collaborate
Become part of our vibrant community! Share your thoughts, ask questions, and connect with other passionate editors.
Join Discord
Become an Editor of Timeline Wiki
Become an Editor of
Timeline Wiki
USD $0 for creating and editing infinite number of timelines after sign up.