Coping with Lloyd George

Abstract

Ernest Gowers left Rugby in 1899, having just turned 19. He graduated from Cambridge in June 1902. Queen Victoria had died the year before, in 1901, and was succeeded by Edward VII. Briggs describes Edwardian Britain as a contrast between poverty and display, ‘shadows and sunlight’.¹ Edward remained on the throne until 1910. His predilection for money and pleasure meant that the gradual decline in the standard of living that was taking place in the country was largely ignored. ‘England’, said G. M. Young, ‘was a very good country for gentlemen. And it all rested on two things — an income tax so moderate that it was hardly felt; and an unlimited supply of cheap efficient domestic service’.² During the early years of Gowers’ career, there would have been a sense of security and quiet purpose. The work of the young graduates in the Civil Service was not pressing and most of the young men fresh from university complained of boredom. The working day started late, lunch was taken in the relaxed environment of gentlemen’s clubs, and the day ended early.