An Empire Like No Other

Here on my desk I have a 1924 atlas of the world that belonged to my grandfather, an Englishman. Its actual title is: The British Empire Universities Up-to-date Atlas-guide to the British Commonwealth of Nations and Foreign Countries. The book is divided into three sections. First, of course, are the maps, 136 pages of them. Then comes “British Commonwealth of Nations: Descriptive and Statistical Notes,” covering 97 pages. Finally there are 56 pages on “Foreign Countries: Descriptive and Statistical Notes.”

Published as it was at the very high tide of British imperialism, this atlas is an instructive document. Even its title is instructive, the grander term “Empire” yielding to the more diffident “Commonwealth,” as actual British political control over self- governing “white dominions” like Australia and South Africa became ever more theoretical. These dominions were not recognized as free countries within the Commonwealth until 1926, and this status was not formalized by statute until 1931. Lesser places were still colonies, protectorates, mandates, or possessions; and India was an empire all by itself.

About the Author

John Derbyshire

Mr. Derbyshire is a former contributing editor of National Review.

Featured Tags

Here on my desk I have a 1924 atlas of the world that belonged to my grandfather, an Englishman. Its actual title is: The British Empire Universities Up-to-date Atlas-guide to the British Commonwealth of Nations and Foreign Countries. The book is divided into three sections. First, of course, are the maps, 136 pages of them. Then comes “British Commonwealth of Nations: Descriptive and Statistical Notes,” covering 97 pages. Finally there are 56 pages on “Foreign Countries: Descriptive and Statistical Notes.”

Published as it was at the very high tide of British imperialism, this atlas is an instructive document. Even its title is instructive, the grander term “Empire” yielding to the more diffident “Commonwealth,” as actual British political control over self- governing “white dominions” like Australia and South Africa became ever more theoretical. These dominions were not recognized as free countries within the Commonwealth until 1926, and this status was not formalized by statute until 1931. Lesser places were still colonies, protectorates, mandates, or possessions; and India was an empire all by itself.