The Order of Merit : one hundred years of matchless honour / Stanley Martin.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Martin, Stanley, 1934-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Order of Merit.

Decorations of honor--Great Britain.

Decorations of honor.

Great Britain.

Physical Description:

xvi, 647 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : I.B. Tauris ; New York : Distributed in the United States by Palgrave Macmillan, 2007.

Summary:

"The Order Of Merit 1902-2002" marks the 100th anniversary of the foundation of this senior order of chivalry in the personal gift of the Queen and limited to 24 Ordinary Members, representing the highest distinction in a wide range of fields. This is both a study of the Order set in the context of British social and cultural history, and the current debate on the British honors system. It provides a full listing of members past and present with biographical details on each, including commentary on their positions and reputations. It also covers those who refused the Order and those who might have been considered.

Contents:

2 The Nineteenth Century Without an Order of Merit 4

3 Moves Towards the Order of Merit 11

4 The Establishment of the Order of Merit 22

5 Development of the Order Over the Years 37

6 The Original Members 57

7 Divisions of Distinction 75

8 The Military Men 78

9 The Scientists 102

10 The Artists 165

11 The Musicians and Performers 200

12 The Writers 220

13 The Scholars 279

14 The Men of Affairs 341

15 The Humanitarians 441

16 The Women 447

17 The Honorary Members 454

18 Statistics: Does 'OM' Equal 'Old Man'? 468

19 The Links 473

20 Those Who Turned it Down 481

21 The Unappointed - Who Would Not Have Disgraced it 487

22 How Are They Remembered - If They Are? 515

23 Rarely With the Jam Rations 521

24 The Insignia: Where Have all the Medals Gone? 523

25 The Standing of the Order 531

26 The Future of the Order 556

Appendix A Letters Patent of 23 June 1902 Instituting the Order of Merit 562

Appendix B The Statutes of the Order of Merit 564

Appendix C Members of the Order of Merit: 1902-2002 572

Appendix D The Secretary and Registrar of the Order of Merit 589.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [628]-635) and index.

ISBN:

1860648487

9781860648489

OCLC:

50527777