In the heyday of Empire just before the First World War, Lord Cromer was second only to Lord Curzon in fame and public esteem. In the days when Cairo and Calcutta represented the twin poles of British power in Asia and Africa, Cromer's commanding presence seemed to radiate the essential spirit of imperial rule. In this first modern biography Roger Owen charts the life of the man revered by the British and hated by today's Egyptians, the real ruler of Egypt for a quarter of a century. `A first rate scholarly biography of Cromer is extremely welcome. It would be hard to think of anyone better qualified than Roger Owen to write.' TLS`A lucid account' TLS`A superb addition to Anglo-Egyption historiography' TLS`timely and welcome.' Piers Brendon, Oldie Roger Owen is an A. J. Meyer Professor of Middle East History, Harvard University.