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Henry Lennox D'Aubigne Hopkinson
b.3 Jan 1902
d.6 Jan 1996
- H. Henry Lennox D'Aubigne Hopkinson1902 - 1996
- W. Estelle Barb1920 - 2002
m. 11 Dec 1956
Facts and Events
Biography
- the text in this section is copied from an article in Wikipedia
Henry Lennox D'Aubigne Hopkinson, 1st Baron Colyton, PC (3 January 1902 – 6 January 1996), was a British diplomat and Conservative politician.
References
Image Gallery
 Henry Hopkinson (top center) with fellow English noblemen and ladies at the Spears residence (1942), References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Henry Hopkinson, in Henry Hopkinson, 1st Baron Colyton
21 May 2010.
"Lord Colyton married Alice Labouisse Eno, daughter of Henry Lane Eno, a banker and Princeton University Professor, in 1927. They had one son and one daughter. After his first wife's death in 1953 he married, secondly, Barbara Estella Barb, who had previously been married to cartoonist Charles Addams, in 1956."
- ↑ Alice Labouisse Eno & Henry Lennox D'Aubigne Hopkinson, 1st Baron Colyton, in Henry_Lane_Eno
28 June 2010.
"Eno's daughter, Alice Labouisse Eno (born 19 August 1903), married Henry Lennox D'Aubigne Hopkinson, 1st Baron Colyton in 1927. She died on 30 April 1953."
- Henry Hopkinson, first Baron Colyton, in Obituary: Lord Colyton
8 January 1996.
OBITUARY : Lord Colyton
by STEPHEN VINES
Monday, 8 January 1996
Of the three careers in diplomacy, politics and business of Henry Hopkinson, first Baron Colyton, it is hard not to conclude that he was happiest in the first, although he also enjoyed a fascinating time in Africa in the 1960s.
The high point of his political career, as Minister of State for Colonial Affairs between 1952 and 1955, was a period of great anxiety and disturbance in the colonies, "about as tough and challenging a task as you will find", to quote his friend and chief Oliver Lyttelton, later Viscount Chandos. There was the emergency in Malaya, the Central African Federation with which Colyton was closely associated, Kenya with the convulsion of Mau- Mau, Nigeria, Uganda, British Guiana, Malta and Cyprus.
In an unsympathetic review of Colyton's memoir up to the end of his diplomatic career in 1946, Occasion, Chance and Change (1993), Enoch Powell chose to enlarge on the subject of "the Cyprus Never", which was not mentioned in the book since it did not come up until 1954. "Never say never" may be wise advice and, strictly speaking, despite the jibes of the Opposition, Hopkinson did not. When in that year he addressed the House of Commons on the question of independence for Cyprus he was presenting the policy of the Government, agreed in Cabinet, in words which Lyttelton, his senior minister, would have used had he been there: "The question of the abrogation of British sovereignty cannot arise . . . British sovereignty will remain."
As the historian Andrew Roberts responded to Powell, Britain still, 40 years on, has two sovereign bases on Cyprus and "the presence of alien troops on the northern part of the island rather obviates Mr Powell's claim that Cyprus is today's sovereign, self-governing nation". Powell was, however, correct to say that Hopkinson was "standing at a pivotal point in political history, a point where the imperial past and post- imperial present met", and that he deserves "a moment of respectful reflection".
Born in 1902, Hopkinson spent his early life at Duntisbourne House near Cirencester (he spelt it "Ciceter"), a house which he loved. When it was sold in 1916, he and his two brothers, to whom he was devoted, moved with their parents to London: "For me it was sheer tragedy. I never quite got over it; I felt lost - my roots gone." He had a strong sense of place, a feeling for houses.
From Eton, he went to Trinity College, Cambridge. His half-American mother was determined that Henry should be fluent in French (he was bilingual from the age of two) as she wanted him to go into the diplomatic service. In the examination he came fourth and there were only two places. Luckily there were two withdrawals and he was in.
His first appointment, in 1924, was as third secretary in Washington, where he was private secretary to the ambassador, Sir Esme Howard. Hopkinson was devoted to his chief and his "serene, beautiful and outspoken" Italian wife. Sir Esme he found "the model of the perfect diplomat", with the ability to make all feel equally at home and welcome. In America he met his future wife, Alice Labouisse Eno, whose father, a professor at Princeton University, had no connection with fruit salts. She was golden-haired, lithe, and had a direct manner which proved a great asset when she campaigned for him at Taunton, where he was first elected MP in 1950.
On their return to London in 1929, two years after their marriage, they rented a house in Belgravia from the Marquess and Marchioness of Willingdon and he recalled the latter's passion for mauve: all the sheets, pillowcases, towels, even the curtains and carpets, were mauve. No better corroboration could be found of Sir Edwin Lutyens's complaint of what Lady Willingdon did to Viceroy's Lodge in Delhi. He called her "a mauvais sujet".
In 1931 the Hopkinsons were posted to Stockholm. There they met Alexandra Stjernstedt, who married his brother John and was the mother of the late Marika Hanbury-Tenison, the cookery writer, who was devoted to her uncle Henry. They enjoyed the annual feasting on crayfish in August and, for all the lightness of touch in describing his time in Sweden, Hopkinson played a useful part in the great improvement of relations between the two countries which was to pay off in the Second World War.
Returning in 1932 to London, Hopkinson worked as Assistant Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon, whom he criticises for procrastination. Again they were lucky in their menage, finding a small Queen Anne house in Westminster, a nanny for their son, Nicky, who was to stay with them for 40 years, and their butler, Peachey, from Gloucestershire, who had a sangfroid and a wit to cope with any emergency.
After service in Athens in 1938 came their purchase of Netherton Hall near Colyton in east Devon in 1939. "The position, the view, the garden, the stables, the farm acreage, and, above all, the price, were just right." Tudor/Jacobean, with mullioned windows, it was his "heart's desire". It filled the gap left by Duntisbourne. Hopkinson owned it for 35 years and it was to have the advantage of being within easy reach of his constituency. Netherton was the ideal of a country house.
Sir Alec Cadogan, the Permanent Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, chose Hopkinson to be his private secretary in succession to Gladwyn Jebb in 1940. Hopkinson's portrait of Cadogan confirms the character of the author of the 1971 Diaries: calm, shrewd, with a gentle welcoming smile, and caustic wit. They worked well together until in June 1941 Cadogan recorded, "Henry H. has been recommended as his [Oliver Lyttelton's] assistant! This really is the limit, but, as a patriot, I must agree to the best man going, to prevent the thing being a flop. But it's the devil. I shall take Loxley."
Lyttelton was then Minister of State in the Middle East. Peter Loxley, tragically killed in 1945, was the star of the Foreign Office, widely tipped by his colleagues one day to succeed Cadogan as Permanent Under-Secretary, which shows how highly Hopkinson was rated - although he himself considered Roger Makins (now Lord Sherfield) "the most brilliant brain of my generation".
Hopkinson worked in Cairo for two years, and was then posted to Lisbon, where he was able to help in the negotiations which secured the air-base at Terceira in the Azores, and from there as Deputy British High Commissioner in Italy from 1944 until 1946.
Sadly Hopkinson's 1993 memoir ends with his diplomatic career, so we do not have his account of his period in politics. (He planned a sequel but only two chapters were completed and those dealt with Africa.) In 1946 Sir Anthony Eden, "a much-maligned man", asked him to join the Conservative Parliamentary Secretariat and Research Department, where he found Iain Macleod, Reginald Maudling and Enoch Powell. The four of them were all elected to Parliament in 1950.
Following the next general election in 1951, Hopkinson was given junior office in Churchill's second and last government, first as Secretary for Overseas Trade and then, at the request of Oliver Lyttelton, now Secretary of State for the Colonies, as Minister of State for Colonial Affairs from 1952.
On Hopkinson's resignation in December 1955, Eden offered him the Governor- generalship of Nigeria or the post of High Commissioner in Australia, but Hopkinson declined and went to the Lords.
His warm personal support for the Central African Federation led to work for the Joint East and Central African Board from 1960 until 1965. He served as chairman of Tanganyika Concessions from 1966 to 1972. Every year he would travel for three months in Africa, and from his wide knowledge of the countries and their leaders he gained a reputation as an authority on the continent.
Henry Colyton possessed initiative and courage. He was delightful company, courteous, shrewd, well-informed, winning and, as his memoir reveals, knowledgeable and prepared to point out what may no longer be fashionable. With Lord Chandos, he set high store by good manners and enjoyed an ease and urbanity to the end.
Ian Lowe
Henry Lennox d'Aubigne Hopkinson, diplomat, politician and businessman: born 3 January 1902; CMG 1944; Deputy British High Commissioner in Italy and Vice-President, Allied Control Commission 1944-46; Head of Conservative Parliamentary Secretariat and Joint Director, Conservative Research Department 1946-50; MP (Conservative) for Taunton 1950-56; Secretary for Overseas Trade 1951-52; PC 1952; Minister of State for Colonial Affairs 1952-55; created 1956 Baron Colyton; married 1927 Alice Eno (died 1953; one son and one daughter deceased), 1956 Barbara Addams (nee Barb); died Monte Carlo 6 January 1996.
- Henry Lennox D'Aubigne Hopkinson, 1st Baron Colyton, in Lundy, Darryl. The Peerage
Entry #57152, 7 November 2008.
Henry Lennox D'Aubigne Hopkinson, 1st Baron Colyton was born on 3 January 1902. He was the son of Sir Henry Lennox Hopkinson and Marie Ruan du Bois. He married, firstly, Alice Labouisse Eno, daughter of Henry Lane Eno, on 10 November 1927. He married, secondly, Barbara Estella Barb, daughter of Stephen Barb, on 11 December 1956. He died on 6 January 1996 at age 94.
Henry Lennox D'Aubigne Hopkinson, 1st Baron Colyton was educated at Eton College, Eton, Berkshire, England. He was decorated with the award of Royal Humane Society's Award (for saving life from drowning) in 1919. He graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge University, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, in 1923 with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) (Honours). He was 3rd Secretary to Washington between 1924 and 1929. He was with the Diplomatic Service between 1924 and 1946. He was 2nd Secretary, Foreign Office between 1929 and 1931. He was 2nd Secretary to Stockholm between 1931 and 1932. He was Assistant Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary between 1932 and 1934. He was 2nd Secretary to Cairo between 1934 and 1938. He was 1st Secretary to Athens between 1938 and 1939. He was 1st Secretary to the War Cabinet Secretariat between 1939 and 1940. He was Private Secretary to the Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign Office between 1940 and 1941. He was Diplomatic Advisor to the Minister of State, Middle East between 1941 and 1943. He held the office of Minister Plenipotentiary to Portugal between 1943 and 1944. He was invested as a Companion, Order of St. Michael and St. George (C.M.G.) in 1944. He was Deputy High Commissioner to Rome and Political Advisor to Allied Commission Italy between 1944 and 1946. He was Head of the Conservative Parliamentary Secretariat and joint director of the CRD between 1946 and 1950. He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) (Conservative) for Taunton between 1950 and 1956. He held the office of Secretary of Overseas Trade between 1951 and 1952. He was invested as a Privy Counsellor (P.C.) in 1952. He held the office of Minister of State, Colonial Affairs between 1952 and 1955. He was decorated with the award of Grand Star, Order of Paduka Stia Negara of Brunei. He was decorated with the award of Commander, Order of Zaire. He was invested as a Officer, Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem (O.St.J.). He was decorated with the award of Grand Cross, Order of Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal. He was created 1st Baron Colyton, of Farway, co. Devon and Taunton, Somerset [U.K.] on 19 January 1956. He was chairman of the Anglo-Egyptian Resettlement Board between 1957 and 1960."
- Henry Lennox D'Aubigne Hopkinson, esquire, C.M.G., Taunton, in Hansard House Minutes (1951)
1 November 1951.
Preamble: HC Deb 01 November 1951 vol 493 cc25-42 25
§ The House met at Half past Two o' Clock, and Mr. SPEAKER-ELECT (the Right Hon. WILLIAM SHEPHERD MORRISON) having taken the Chair,
§ Message to attend the Lords Commissioners by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.
§ The House went, and having returned,
§ Mr. Speaker I have to report that the House has been in the House of Peers, where His Majesty was pleased by His Majesty's Commissioners to approve of the choice the House has made of myself for the office of your Speaker, and that I have, in your name, and on your behalf, made claim, by humble petition to His Majesty, to all your ancient and undoubted rights and privileges, particularly to freedom of speech in debate, freedom from arrest, freedom of access to His Majesty whenever occasion may require, and that the most favourable construction may be placed upon all your proceedings. All these His Majesty, by his Commissioners, has been pleased to allow and confirm to us in as ample a manner as they have ever been granted or confirmed by himself or by any of his Royal predecessors.
My first duty to the House is to repeat my very respectful acknowledgments and my grateful thanks for the great honour which you have conferred upon me in placing me in this Chair.
I must now call upon hon. Members, according to the usual custom, to take the Oath of Allegiance at the Table of the House, first doing so myself.
§ Thereupon Mr. SPEAKER first, alone, standing upon the upper step of the Chair, took and subscribed the Oath.
§ Mr. Speaker I shall first call upon the Members of the two Front Benches to take the Oath, Members on the Government Bench first, and Members on the Opposition Front Bench second. After that, I shall call upon Privy Councillors and ex-Ministers; and then I shall call upon other Members, bench by bench, first from one side of the House and then from the other.
I shall try this year the experiment of indicating at the very outset the order in 26 which I shall call Members. It occurs to me that that procedure, though it must favour some more than others, will at least give to hon. Members knowledge of how long they may expect to wait, and thus enable them to be employed more usefully than sitting in the Chamber.
After the two Front Benches, I shall call the Front Bench on my right below the Gangway and, after that, the Front Bench on my left below the Gangway; then the second bench on my right, and then the second bench on my left, and so on.
§ The following Members took and subscribed the Oath, or made and subscribed the Affirmation required by Law:
Henry Lennox D'Aubigne Hopkinson, esquire, C.M.G., Taunton. (Among a list of many others.)
- Henry Lennox d'Aubigne Hopkinson, in WordIQ.com: List of Privy Counsellors (1952-present)
2010.
List of Privy Counsellors (1952-present) - List of current members of the Privy Council
This is a List of Privy Councillors of the United Kingdom appointed since the accession of Queen Elizabeth II in 1952.
Elizabeth II, 1952-present
1952 Sir James Ulick Canning Alexander (1889-1973)
1952 Harold Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis (1891-1969)
1952 Iain Norman Macleod (1913-1970)
1952 Henry Lennox d'Aubigne Hopkinson (1902-1996)
(Many others listed following...)
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