British, 1870 - 1949
A prominent Liberal, and then National Liberal politician in the UK between 1900 and 1930. Son of the shipping magnate Walter Runicman, 1st Baron Runicman (1847-1937).
He held various positions in the Liberal governments from 1905, and in 1914 after the outbreak of the First World War he became the President for the Board of Trade.
In 1938 he was sent to Czechoslovakia to mediate in a dispute between the Government of Czechoslovakia and the Sudeten German Party (SdP). The SdP, although ostensibly calling for autonomy for the Sudetenland, had instructions from Nazi Germany not to reach any agreement on the matter so the attempts at mediation failed. Runciman was recalled to London on 16 September 1938. The controversial report on his Mission provided support for British policy towards Czechoslovakia, culminating in the dismembering of the country under the terms of the Munich Agreement. Further controversy arose from Runciman's use of his leisure time in Czechoslovakia spent mostly in the company of Hitler's Jewish spy and erstwhile lover of Lord Rothermere, Princess Stephanie Julianne von Hohenlohe and the pro-SdP aristocracy.
His daughter was Margaret Fairweather was the first woman to fly a Spitfire and was one of the original eight female pilots selected by Pauline Gower to join the Air Transport Auxiliary. His second son, the Honourable Sir Steven Runciman was a historian. Upon his death, Runciman was succeeded by his eldest son, Walter.
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