Aretas Akers-Douglas, 2nd Viscount Chilston

The Right Honourable The Viscount Chilston GCMG PC
Ambassador to the Soviet Union
In office 1933–1938
Monarch	George V Edward VIII George VI
Preceded by	Sir Esmond Ovey
Succeeded by	Sir William Seeds
Personal details
Born	17 February 1876 London
Died	25 July 1947
Nationality	British
Spouse(s)	Amy Jennings-Bramly (d. 1962)

Aretas Akers-Douglas, 2nd Viscount Chilston GCMG PC (17 February 1876-25 July 1947), was a British diplomat. He was Ambassador to the Soviet Union between 1933 and 1938.

Background and education

Chilston was born in London, the son of Aretas Akers-Douglas, 1st Viscount Chilston, and Adeline Mary, daughter of Horatio Austen-Smith. He was educated at Eton.^[1]

Diplomatic career

Chilston entered the Diplomatic Service in 1898, and was appointed a Third Secretary in December 1900.^[2] He held minor positions before being appointed Ambassador to Austria in 1921, a post he held until 1928. He then served as Ambassador to Hungary between 1928 and 1933 and as Ambassador to the Soviet Union between 1933 and 1938. He was appointed a CMG in 1918, a KCMG in 1927 and a GCMG in 1935^[1] and was sworn of the Privy Council in 1939.^[1][3]

Family

Lord Chilston married Amy, daughter of Major John Robert Jennings-Bramly, in 1903. They had two sons, of whom the eldest, the Hon. Aretas, was killed in a motor accident in 1940. Lord Chilston died in July 1947, aged 71, and was succeeded in the viscountcy by his second and only surviving son, Eric. Lady Chilston died in August 1962.^[1]

References

1. thepeerage.com Aretas Akers-Douglas, 2nd Viscount Chilston
2. The London Gazette: no. 27300. p. 2194. 29 March 1901.
3. leighrayment.com Privy Counsellors

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Aretas Akers-Douglas, 2nd Viscount Chilston