in 1919 he became its Permanent Secretary. He died of influenza on 13 March 1920. In 1917 Beatrice Webb called him "the one man of genius in the Civil Service", and A. L. Rowse, writing in 1942, said he was "by universal acclaim the greatest civil servant of his time". Family In 1896 he married Helen Mary Cracknell. References External links Photograph of Sir Robert in the National Portrait Gallery's collection 1863 births 1920 deaths People educated at Winchester College Permanent Secretaries of the Board of Education Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Health Alumni of New College, Oxford Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath