Edward Twining, Baron Twining

Edward Francis Twining, Baron Twining, GCMG, MBE, KStJ, (29 June 1899 – 21 June 1967), known as Sir Edward Twining from 1949 to 1958, was a British diplomat, formerly Governor of North Borneo and Governor of Tanganyika. He was a member of the Twining tea family. In 1960 he published a book titled A History of the Crown Jewels of Europe; at over 700 pages it is probably the most extensive book on the subject.

Early and personal life
Twining was born in 1899 in Westminster to William Henry Greaves Twining and his wife, Agatha Georgina, fourth daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Bourne. His brother Stephan Twining became the managing director of the tea merchants, Twinings. He attended Lancing before training at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.

He married Helen Mary, daughter of Arthur Edmund Du Buisson, in 1928 and they had two sons.

Military and diplomatic service
He served in Dublin with the Worcestershire Regiment between 1919 and 1922, inadvertently capturing Éamon de Valera in 1921. He was appointed MBE for his services in Ireland. He then entered the colonial administrative service following two tours of Uganda with the 4th King's African Rifles, returning there in 1929 as an assistant district commissioner. He moved to Mauritius as director of labour in 1939, before becoming administrator in St Lucia in 1943; he was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in the same year.

Twining served as Governor of North Borneo from November 1946. In 1949 he was promoted to KCMG and became Governor of Tanganyika, serving there until 1958. He was promoted to GCMG in 1953 and following his retirement, he became a life peer as Baron Twining, of Tanganyika and of Godalming in the County of Surrey, on 22 August 1958.

He was appointed a Knight of the Venerable Order of Saint John in 1950. He also served as Honorary Colonel to 6th Battalion King's African Rifles from 1955 to 1958.

Publications

 * A History of the Crown Jewels of Europe. London: B. T. Batsford, 1960.
 * European Regalia. London: B. T. Batsford, 1967.