Stephen Leech

Sir Stephen Leech (8 July 1864 – 12 May 1925) was a British diplomat who was minister plenipotentiary to Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Early life and education

Leech was born on 8 July 1864, the second son of John Leech of Gorse Hall, Dukinfield, Cheshire. He went Eton College in 1878, and in 1883 to Magdalen College, Oxford.

Career

Leech entered the Diplomatic Service as an attaché in 1888, and his first posting was to Berlin. Two years later, he was promoted to third secretary; in 1894 to second secretary; and served successively at Brussels, Copenhagen, Constantinople, Lisbon and Rome. In 1904, he was returned to Copenhagen as first secretary, and in the following year, served in a similar position in Chistiania. In 1907, after promotion to counsellor, he was posted to Peking, a post he held until 1909. and in 1912, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, a post he held until 1919. He was also accredited as minister plenipotentiary to the Dominican Republic from 1913 to 1916, and to Haiti from 1913 to 1919.

Leech retired in 1920, and died on 12 May 1925 at Lyndhurst, Hampshire, aged 60.