In Horace Farquhar: A Bad Man Befriended by Kings, published on 8 March, Alistair Lexden uncovers the misdeeds of a scandalous figure, now largely forgotten, who died exactly a century ago in 1923. Two Kings befriended him, Edward VII and George V.
The book’s Foreword sets the scene: “If Horace Farquhar ever had a moral compass, he threw it away early in life. He possessed ability, charm and massive self-confidence; few scoundrels succeed without them”.
Farquhar, an extremely wealthy courtier, was also active in the Conservative Party. Much of his wealth was ill-gotten. As Treasurer of the Party from 1911 to 1923, he helped himself freely to the funds. Yet by the time of his death all his money had completely disappeared.
The remarkable story is told in this short book. The full text can be found in the publications section of this website. Printed copies are available from the author (price £10).
The book has been praised by Stuart Ball CBE, Emeritus Professor of Modern British History at Leicester University: “Once I opened it, I couldn’t put it down until I had read it all. It is a fascinating and extraordinary story, and you have done a remarkable job in piecing it all together.”
The book also received praise from Professor Jeremy Black, a leading historian and author of many books. Writing in The Critic online, he said: “With exemplary archival research, Lexden demonstrates that Farquhar was a rogue and fraudster. His writing is witty and scholarly. The fortune that vanished, much left to the royal family in his will, is the topic of the arresting closing chapter.”
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A review of the book by Patrick Kidd, editor of The Times diary column, was published in Parliament’s House magazine on 20 March (attached).
