‘Duty, desire to learn, and a mission from the Times’: Lord Curzon and His Travel Writings

Abstract

Surveys the travel writings of the British politician to demonstrate the close and continuing links between Curzon’s interest in travel and his politics. Explores his contributions to geography and politics in books such as Persia and others about the Middle East and Asia. Examines the reaction to Curzon’s books by reviewers and politicians, noting the influence his works had as political literature; also assesses their literary merit.