BARON HOME OF THE HIRSEL OF COLDSTREAM

orig. Alexander Frederick later Baron Home (of the Hirsel of Coldstream)

born July 2, 1903, London, Eng.

died Oct. 9, 1995, The Hirsel, Coldstream, Berwickshire, Scot.

British statesman.

A member of the House of Commons (1931–45 and 1950–51), he entered the House of Lords after inheriting the earldom of Home (1951). He served as minister of state for Scotland (1951–55), leader of the House of Lords (1957–60), and foreign secretary (1960–63) before succeeding Harold Macmillan as prime minister in 1963, relinquishing his hereditary titles. He was unable to improve the British balance-of-payments situation and antagonized Conservatives by supporting legislation against price-fixing, but gained U.S. approval as a result of his anti-Communism. After his government fell in 1964, he became Conservative opposition spokesman on foreign affairs and later again foreign secretary (1970–74). In 1974 he was created a life peer.