Anthony Eden : a life and reputation

As the centenary of his birth approaches, Anthony Eden remains one of the most controversial figures in the political history of 20th-century Britain.

Using unpublished archival material, much of it from Eden's own papers, David Dutton seeks to reasses the career of a man who experienced the extremes of political fortune.For much of his life the golden boy of British politics, with a popular appeal that transcended party boundaries, Eden left public life with his reputation for sound judgement and probity sadly tarnished.

In this new study the Suez crisis of 1956, which did such lasting damage to Eden's historical reputation, is given due attention in the light of the wealth of detailed studies now available, but it is not allowed to compromise a proper assessment of the full career of a man who was at the heart of British political life for more than two decades.

Eden's role in the appeasement of the 1930s is scrutinized, his contribution to wartime diplomacy re-evaluated and new light is thrown on his involvement in postwar issues such as the Cold War and European integration.

Neglected areas such as Eden's contribution to domestic politics are also considered.