DILKE, Sin Charles Wentworth, M.P., 2d baronet, English statesman and author: b. London, 4 Sept. 1843; d. there, 26 Jan. 1911. Eldest son of the first baronet of that name and grandson of the critic, C. W. Dilke (q.v.). Educated at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, he was graduated with honors and called to the bar in 1866; member Parliament for Chelsea 1868-86; Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1880-82; president of Local Goverment Board 1882-85; chairman of the Royal Commission for Negotiations with France, 1880-82; chairman of the Royal Commission for Housing of the Working-class, 1884-85; chairman of the Select Committee on Income Tax, 1906. He trav eled in Canada and the United States in 1866; thence to Panama, New Zealand, Australia and Tasmania, studying.the colonies at first hand, returning home across Ceylon, India and Egypt. On his return he published 'Greater Britain: a Record of Travel in English-speak ing Countries during 1866-67' (2 vols., 1868). The work instantly took its place as a classic, passing through numerous editions in Great Britain and America. Inheriting the Atheturum from his father and grandfather, he also be came proprietor of Notes and Queries, devoting himself to editorial work for a time. His re. election to Parliament was opposed in 1874 on the ground that he openly avowed his pref erence for a republican form of govern ment, but he retained his seat. In 1875 he made another tour of the world, this time including China and Japan in his itinerary. His strong predilection for France gained him the friendship of many public men in that country.
Though nominally a Liberal in politics, Dilke leaned to the radical section of the party. How he first obtained office is told in Lord Morley's 'Life of Gladstone.' In the forma tion of his second administration in 1880 Glad stone had already distributed all the great posts among the (patrician whigs,* when he was warned not to overlook the radical leaders. He sent for Dunce, who promptly refused to serve unless either himself or Chamberlain (the late Joseph) were in the Cabinet and that the other would then accept a subordinate post.
In the end Chamberlain was chosen and placed at the Board of Trade, and Dilke be came under-secretary to the foreign office, a post not involving a seat in the Cabinet. Be tween 1880 and 1885 he held the various posi tions mentioned above. After the collapse of the Gladstone ministry in June 1885, Dilke oame out of office—never to return, for in February 1886 fell the tragedy that blasted his political career, the Crawford divorce case. His resigna tion was inevitable; in his valedictory address to his constituents he said . . . al can only assure you . . . as I have already often as sured you, and with equal solemnity sworn in court, that I am innocent of the charges brought against me. . . .a Dilke had been a widower since 1874; in 1885 he married the widow of the Rev. Mark Pattison. She was in India at the time the scandal became public and directly showed her confidence in his in nocence by announcing their engagement. In 1892 he returned to public life as Liberal member for the Forest of Dean division of Gloucester shire, which seat he retained till his death. He had spent the intervening years in literary activity, a recluse from society, yet supremely happy in his domestic life and. the small circle of friends who remained by his side. His speeches were invariably listened to with re spect by both sides of the House; he spoke with authority on numerous questions, colonial and foreign affairs, imperial defense, finance, social and labor problems. A wealthy man, he pos sessed one of the most interesting private col lections in London, including many personal relics of Keats. In addition to the work already mentioned, he wrote 'New America' (1868);