Forster, Hugh Oakeley Arnold-, 1855-1909, politician

Hugh Oakeley Arnold was born in Dawlish, Devon on 19 August 1855 into an illustrious family. His late grandfather, Thomas Arnold, had been headmaster at Rugby; his uncles included the poet and critic, Matthew Arnold, and the literary scholar, Thomas Arnold; an aunt was the novelist Mary Ward (also known as Mrs Humphry Ward); and a cousin was the journalist W. T. Arnold. When he was just four months old he moved to India where his father, William Delafield Arnold, was Director of Public Instruction in the Punjab. Hugh's mother, Frances, daughter of Gen. J. A. Hodgson, later Surveyor-General of India, died when Hugh was three years old. His father decided to return Hugh, and his three siblings, to England but W. D. Arnold himself died whilst following them in April 1859. The Arnold children, ranging in age from two to eight years found themselves orphaned.

Hugh and his siblings were taken in by their aunt Jane and her husband, W. E. Forster, later a leading Liberal politician. After initial schooling in Devon, under John Penrose, in 1869 Hugh went to Rugby and later took a first class degree in Modern History at Oxford. It was around the time of his graduation that Hugh, and his siblings, changed their name to Arnold-Forster.

Arnold-Forster's initial intention of becoming a barrister (he had been called to the bar in 1879) was put aside in 1880 when W. E. Forster became Chief Secretary for Ireland in Gladstone's government. Forster appointed his foster son his private secretary. Forster's resignation two years later freed Arnold-Forster to take a greater role in other issues which interested him: social and philanthropic matters; writing for journals; founding the Imperial Federation League (he would assume the role of secretary). He travelled widely and soon became an expert in military and naval matters; with Capt. J. A. Fisher (later Baron Fisher, 1st Sea Lord) and the journalist W. T. Stead he played a major role in fomenting the 'navy scare' of 1884.

Writing became a central part of Arnold-Forster's life from this point onwards. He became political editor of The Statist, wrote educational books for children for Cassells, turned his letters to The Times on Edward Cardwell's army reforms into two books, wrote on imperial defence, and wrote a book on proportional representation with Sir John Lubbock. In all he produced 44 books and major articles for reviews.

It took some time before Arnold-Forster decided to go into party politics. Having declined offers to stand for the Liberals in Oxford and Devonport in 1881 and 1885, he successfully stood as a Liberal Unionist in Darlington in 1886 and Dewsbury in 1888. From 1892 he represented West Belfast and became a close follower of Joseph Chamberlain. His successful chairmanship of a commission to investigate settling discharged British soldiers in South Africa after the wars there saw him given the post of Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty in the Marquess of Salisbury's Unionist government. As the Earl of Selborne (the Admiralty's chief minister) was in the House of Lords, Arnold-Forster was responsible for speaking for the Admiralty in the House of Commons.

Arnold-Forster took a leading role in reform and innovation in the navy, particularly in the areas of standardisation of equipment and materials, and training and entry. He also worked on the development of the body that would become the Committee of Imperial Defence. In Balfour's reshuffle, following the resignations of Joseph Chamberlain and the Duke of Devonshire, Arnold-Forster became Secretary of State at the War Office, albeit only after five preferred candidates had declined the post; Balfour had not been convinced that the War Office would suit Arnold-Forster.

Arnold-Forster brought his reformist outlook from the Admiralty to the War Office. He dismantled army refoms that had been introduced by Cardwell and St John Brodrick. Under Arnold-Forster a two tier army consisting of a two year short-service home army (including the militia) would be available for overseas duty in time of war, and a long-service (nine year) army would be stationed around the empire. Arnold-Forster also planned to introduce an army council and a general staff.

The plans met opposition from entrenched military interests, led by Viscount Esher who wielded influence with both Balfour and the King, and by 1905 a secret sub-committee of the Committe of Imperial Defence, chaired by Balfour, was operating without Arnold-Forster's knowledge. This opposition proved academic; Arnold-Forster's plans were ultimately dealt their fatal blow by the defeat of Balfour's government in the January 1906 general election. Despite the Conservative defeat at the election, Arnold-Forster managed to hold on to a seat. Having retired from Belfast West he had moved to Croydon.

Arnold-Forster was by now in poor health. He had had a heart condition since 1903, brought on by a fall from a horse. He never truly recovered and even a trip to Jamaica, intended as a recuperation but coinciding with an Imperial Cotton Growing Association conference, did not help. Far from helping his recovery the trip may have made matters worse. He and his family were caught up in the Kingston earthquake whilst on the island and were fortunate to survive.

He died on 12 March 1909 and was survived by his wife, Mary, daughter of the minerologist, Mervyn H. N. Story-Maskelyne, and their four sons.

Epithet: politician

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000976.0x000195