Lord Curzon becomes Viceroy of India

Background. The governor-generalship was created in 1773 as governor-general of the Presidency of Fort William, with direct control over that presidency and supervisory authority over other East India Company officials in India. From 1858, the additional title of Viceroy was granted to the office, reflecting the governor-general's new role as the monarch's representative in relation to the princely states, so that the office became entitled "Viceroy and Governor-General of India".

Appointment and Peerage. George Curzon was appointed Viceroy of India in 1899. Upon his appointment, he was created Baron Curzon of Kedleston in the peerage of Ireland. This specific title was chosen to avoid conflict with existing Viscounts and Barons Curzon among his kinsmen, the Earls Howe. As Viceroy, he also became ex officio Grand Master of the Order of the Indian Empire and Order of the Star of India.

Political Context. Curzon had been named Under-Secretary of State for India in 1891. In the following years he travelled extensively in Russia, Central Asia and the Far East, publishing books in which he detailed his geopolitical outlook and underlined the perceived Russian threat to British control of India. He believed Russia to be the most likely threat to British India, Britain's most valuable possession. In 1901 he famously said, "As long as we rule India we are the greatest power in the world."