1922 Encyclopædia Britannica/Harcourt, Lewis Vernon Harcourt, 1st Viscount

HARCOURT, LEWIS VERNON HARCOURT, (1863-), British politician, was born in London Feb. 1 1863, the eldest surviving son of Sir William Harcourt (see 12.939). He was educated at Eton and afterwards travelled widely, becoming well known for his interest in art. In 1899 he married the only daughter of Walter H. Burns, of New York. In 1904 he was elected as Liberal member for the Rossendale division of Lancs., retaining the seat until 1917, and on the formation of Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman's Government (1905) became First Commissioner of Works. In 1910 he became Secretary of State for the Colonies in the Asquith Cabinet, but on the formation of the Coalition Government in 1915 again became First Commissioner of Works. In 1916 he was raised to the peerage. He was appointed a trustee of the Wallace Collection, British Museum, London Museum and National Portrait Gallery.