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The sections of the Directory dealing with the British colonies include information on both Colonial Governors and on Colonial and Chief Secretaries. Colonial Secretaries should not be confused with the Secretary of State for the Colonies-the political head of the Colonial Office. The Colonial Secretary of a colony was the chief administrative officer to the Governor and would serve as Acting Governor in the absence on leave of the Governor or during the interim between the departure of a Governor and the arrival of his successor. In some Colonies however-in Africa in particular-this official had the title of Chief Secretary Secretary. In colonies which became internally self-governing the post of Colonial Secretary was renamed Chief Secretary. In the years immediately before the granting of independence to a colony the post was often renamed again as Lieutenant-Governor. The office of Lieutenant-Governor was, however, used throughout the period of this Directory in Malta and, at various times in Ceylon and the Straits Settlements. It was also used in a number of colonies before the office was raised to Governor status. I believe that this is the first time that an attempt has been made to list all Colonial Secretaries. Although in the interests of continuity the Governors-General of the Dominions: Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa have been listed these individuals have not been included in Section E. I am aware that Colonial officials were not Diplomats and that to include them in “A Directory of British Diplomats” may be seen as inappropriate. It was convenient for me to collect the fruits of my research into one consolidated document and publish it as such.