LORD RICHARD G. CASEY - AUTOGRAPH NOTE SIGNED 01/05/1971 - HFSID 23717

RICHARD G. CASEY
Handwritten note added to a typed Christmas message to the wife of an American scholar
Autograph Note signed: "I am/Yours sincerely/Casey", 1 page, 6¼x8½. East Melbourne, Australia, 1971 January 5. On personal letterhead to Mrs. Saul Padover, Brooklyn, New York. On a typed expression of thanks for a Christmas card, Casey penned this autograph note, in full: "We were so glad to meet you here not so long ago - & to congratulate you on the task you both did here. I hope we may meet again." Richard G. Casey, later Baron Casey (1890-1976) served in the Australian Army during World War I, involved in the Gallipoli campaign and awarded the Military Cross on the Western Front. He held diplomatic postings in London (1924-1931) before returning to London and winning election to the Australian parliament. He became Australia's first Ambassador to the United States in 1940. In 1942, British Prime Minister Churchill appointed him Minister Resident in the Middle East. Offered a British peerage in 1946, he declined, since these would have ended his political prospects in Australia. He was Minister of External Affairs (1951-1960), but - having never achieved the position of Prime Minister he was said to covet - he accepted a British title in 1960, becoming only the second Australian to hold a seat in Britain's House of Lords. From 1966 to 1969, he was Britain's Governor-General in Australia, when Britain began the practice of appointing native Australians to the position. Saul K. Padover was an American historian, whose books included a biography of Thomas Jefferson. Lord Casey had attended a lecture given by Professor Padover in Australia in October 1970, and met Mrs. Padover at an accompanying dinner. Multiple mailing folds. Lightly toned. Otherwise, fine condition.