Edward Frederick Lindley Wood or Viceroy Irwin was a senior british conservative politician of the 1930s. He held several senior ministerial posts during this time, most notably those of Viceroy of India from 1925 to 1931 and of Foreign Secretary between 1938 and 1940.
On April 3, 1926 Lord Irwin was appointed 30th Viceroy and Governor-General of India. This was the most tumultuous period for the politics of India.
During this period the important events were:
• Visit of Simon Commission (1928),
• Nehru Report (1928),
• Jinnah’s 14 Points (1928),
• Murder of Saunders in (1929),
• Bomb thrown in Assembly Hall in Delhi by Bhagat Singh and his comrades (1929),
• Foundation of HSRA (1928),
• Death of Lala Lajpat Rai (1928),
• Execution of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev (1931),
• Chittagong armoury Raid (1930),
• Civil Disobedience Movement, Dandi March (1930),
• First Round Table Conference in London (1930 – 1931),
• Gandhi Irwin Pact (1931)
• Demand for Poorna Swarajya in Lahore session (1929).
Despite the mixed outcomes, Irwin was overall a successful Viceroy for British. His successful term as Viceroy ensured that he returned to British politics with significant prestige.
He was one of the architects of the policy of appeasement of Adolf Hitler in 1936–38, working closely with Prime minister Neville Chamberlain.
On Chamberlain’s resignation early in May 1940, Irwin effectively declined the position of Prime Minister as he felt that Winston Churchill would be a more suitable war leader.
He died of a heart attack at his estate at Garraowby (England) on 23 December 1959, aged 78. His widow survived him until 1976.
Chekout with more images on Instagram Page – Viceroy Irwin