Eric Drummond, the son of 15th Earl of Perth, was born in Fulford, North Yorkshire, in 1876. A diplomat, he was the first-secretary of the League of Nations (1919-33).

Drummond also served as ambassador in Rome (1933-39) and during the Second World War he was chief adviser on foreign publicity with the ministry of information. Drummond was also deputy leader of the Liberal Party (1947-1951).

Eric Drummond, 16th Earl of Perth, died in 1951.