Clarendon, George William Frederick Villiers, 4th earl of

Clarendon, George William Frederick Villiers, 4th earl of, 1800–1870, British statesman. He was ambassador (1833–39) to Spain during the difficult period of the Carlist war and then lord privy seal (1839–41). As lord lieutenant of Ireland (1847–52), he made efforts to ease disorder and distress during the famine. He was foreign secretary (1853–58) during the Crimean War, held together the French alliance with England, and was one of the negotiators of the Peace of Paris (1856). He was twice again foreign secretary (1865–66, 1868–70), and during the latter period he laid the foundation for the settlement of the Alabama claims of the United States.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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