Crewe, Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes, 1st marquess of

Crewe, Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes, 1st marquess of (kro͞oˌmĭlzˈ), 1858–1945, British statesman. He succeeded (1885) his father as Baron Houghton and was created earl (1895) and later marquess (1911) of Crewe. A Liberal, he held a succession of high offices, including those of lord lieutenant of Ireland (1892–95), colonial secretary (1908–10), and secretary for India (1910–15). As Liberal leader in the House of Lords from 1908 he played an important role in securing passage of the Parliament Act of 1911, which deprived the Lords of its veto. He was later ambassador to France (1922–28).