STRATFORD DE RED'CLIFFE, STRATFORD CANNING, Viscount (1786-18S0). An English diplomat, born in London. The influence of his famous cousin, George Canning, secured for Stratford in 1808 the secretaryship of the Em bassy at Constantinople, under Adair. and on the latter's resignation in 1810 Canning was made Ninister Plenipotentiary. In this position at a most critical moment in the great struggle against Napoleon, he negotiated the Treaty of Bucharest between Russia and Turkey, in 1812. In 1820 he was made \linister to the United States, where he was successful in the settlement of the difficult questions arising out of the War of 1812. After performing various diplomatic services and holding a seat in the House of Commons, he was sent in 1841 as Am baAsador to Constantinople. The most dramatic and important event of his service at the Turk ish capital was his diplomatic contest in 1853 with Prince Nenshikoff, the Russian Ambassador Extraordinary. The result of the struggle—
through which Canning obtained the name of 'Great Eltchi,' or 'the great ambassador'—was a victory for Canning. Ile remained at Constanti nople throughout the Crimean War and until 1858 and exerted great influence upon the Turk ish Government with regard to its foreign rela tions and the inauguration of political reforms. He was raised to the peerage in 1852 under the title of Viscount Stratford de Redclitle. He was the author of some creditable verse. In 1881 extracts from his papers and correspondence were published, with a preface by A. 1'. Stanley, under the title, The Eastern Question. Consult, also: Lane-Poole, Life of the Right Honourable Stratford Camting, Viscount Stratford de Red cliffe (London, 1888).