Alan Lennox Boyd served as Colonial Secretary from 1954 to 1959--a decisive period in the history of British decolonization. A towering figure both in terms of his place within Conservative Party history and his influence on Imperial history, he represented a particular trend within the Party, flirting with fascism and holding the Empire in high regard. He gained a reputation as an impediment to consitutional reform in the colonies, yet during his period of office he played a key role in a number of major decisions, including the decolonization of Cyprus. Tracing the development of his highly idiosyncratic brand of right wing politics, this biography presents a portrait of a highly complex man and a challenging reinterpretation of British colonial policy at this time.