The English statesman Edgar Algernon Robert Cecil, Viscount Cecil of Chelwood (1864-1958), received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1937, in large part because of his untiring efforts to establish the League of Nations and ensure its continuing success.

Robert Cecil was born in London on Sept. 14, 1864, the third son of Lord Salisbury, Disraeli's successor as leader of the Conservative party. Cecil was educated at Eton and University College, Oxford. While preparing for the bar, he served as private secretary to his father. Cecil was admitted to the Inner Temple in 1887, and until 1906, when he was elected to Parliament, he carried on a successful parliamentary law practice.

Cecil's victory in 1906 was not shared by most of his Unionist party colleagues, for they were deeply divided over protective tariffs. Cecil himself supported free trade. He also supported the state church, a concept to which he was always devoted. Defeated twice in...