Eric Campbell Geddes

Sir Eric Campbell Geddes GCB GBE PC (26 September 1875 – 22 June 1937) was a British businessman and Conservative politician. With a background in railways, he served as head of Military Transportation on the Western Front, with the rank of major-general. He then served as First Lord of the Admiralty (with the rank of vice-admiral, despite its being a political position) between 1917 and 1919. He then served as the first Minister of Transport between 1919 and 1921, in which position he was responsible for the deep public spending cuts known as the “Geddes Axe”.

Synonyms:
Sir Eric Geddes
Eric_Campbell_Geddes (Wikipedia)
The Right Honourable
Sir Eric Campbell Geddes
GCB GBE
Sir Eric Campbell-Geddes in 1917.jpg
Geddes, illustration from a newspaper of 1917
First Lord of the Admiralty
In office
17 July 1917 – 10 January 1919
Monarch George V
Prime Minister David Lloyd George
Preceded by Sir Edward Carson
Succeeded by Walter Long
Minister of Transport
In office
19 May 1919 – 7 November 1921
Monarch George V
Prime Minister David Lloyd George
Preceded by New office
Succeeded by The Viscount Peel
Personal details
Born 26 September 1875 (1875-09-26)
British India
Died 22 June 1937 (1937-06-23) (aged 61)
Nationality British
Political party Conservative
Spouse(s) Gwendolen Stokes

Sir Eric Campbell Geddes GCB GBE PC (26 September 1875 – 22 June 1937) was a British businessman and Conservative politician. With a background in railways, he served as head of Military Transportation on the Western Front, with the rank of major-general. He then served as First Lord of the Admiralty (with the rank of vice-admiral, despite its being a political position) between 1917 and 1919. He then served as the first Minister of Transport between 1919 and 1921, in which position he was responsible for the deep public spending cuts known as the "Geddes Axe".

« Back to Glossary Index