Perth, James Eric Drummond, 16th earl of

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James Eric Drummond Perth, 16th earl of, 1876–1951, British diplomat. He was the first secretary-general of the League of Nations (1919–33) and ambassador to Rome (1933–39) and served (1939–40) as chief adviser on foreign publicity with the ministry of information. He succeeded to his earldom in 1937. From 1947 until his death he was deputy leader of the Liberal party.