Tuesday 14 August 2012

So how many civil servants did run the British Empire?!

Have you heard the one about how 4000 civil servants ran the British Empire in the 19th century? If you have, a wee correction is needed! One man who has looked into the myth is none other than Oliver Morley, Chief Executive and Keeper of the National Archives based at Kew, who has blogged a short but fascinating examination of the reality. If there's one lesson to be drawn from the assertion that there were 4000 civil servants in charge, it is the simple fact that the way things are run today is very different to how they were run before!

To read Oliver's piece, visit http://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/blog/uk-government-did-we-rule-the-empire-with-4000-civil-servants/

(With thanks to @UKNatArchives)

Chris

Check out my Scotland's Greatest Story research service www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
New book: It's Perthshire 1866 - there's been a murder... www.thehistorypress.co.uk/products/The-Mount-Stewart-Murder.aspx (from June 12th 2012)

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