Written with thanks to the Author, John Campbell, for the gift (and on my Good Reads page).
Haldane is a deeply researched biography written to bring light to the philosophy, character and extraordinary diligence and stamina of a ‘forgotten’ British statesman – Richard Burdon Haldane, 1st Viscount Haldane of Cloan.
During his lifetime from 1856 – 1928 Haldane was instrumental in creating enduring British institutions across education, the military and national intelligence. And Haldane played a central support role in Prime Minister Asquith’s government managing Britain’s part in the First World War.
The author John Campbell brings a very personal light to this work and the Preface shares the childhood context for Campbell’s fascination and admiration of Haldane. Haldane’s letters to family and colleagues in government are a key source, as family, academic and romantic life is woven into the examination of how Haldane’s legal and political career develops. I particularly enjoyed insights into Haldane’s formative days studying philosophy at Edinburgh in Scotland and Gottingen, Germany. During his period in Germany, Haldane was influenced by what he learnt from German academics of the time (including a young Albert Einstein), their institutions and approach.
“Haldane” feels as if it was written with a lifetime of John Campbell’s curiosity and admiration for the polymathic character and energy of Haldane – and how personal philosophies and principles became the spine of his statesmanship.
Importantly in the era we are in today, “Haldane” nicely draws to a conclusion with an _Afterword_ that suggests five core principles that readers can take from a study of Haldane’s life and leadership.
