Gerald Herbert Portal

Sir Gerald Portal KCMG CB
Portrait of Gerald Herbert Portal by Violet Manners, Duchess of Rutland
Consul General for British East Africa
In office 1889–1892
Commissioner of Uganda
In office 1892 – 30 May 1893
Succeeded by	James Macdonald
Personal details
Born	13 March 1858 Laverstoke, Hampshire, England
Died	25 January 1894 (1894-01-26) (aged 35) London, England
Profession	Diplomat

Sir Gerald Herbert Portal KCMG CB (13 March 1858 – 25 January 1894) was a British diplomat who was the Consul General for British East Africa and British Special Commissioner to Uganda, and a main figure in the establishment of the Uganda Protectorate.

Gerald Portal was the second son of the politician Melville Portal. He was educated at Eton College, joined the diplomatic service as an attaché in 1879, and was posted to Rome where he was promoted to third secretary of legation in 1881.

In June 1882 Portal had the good fortune to be temporarily attached to the consulate-general at Cairo, at a critical period in the history of British relations with Egypt. He was present at the bombardment of Alexandria, and for his services on that occasion received a medal with clasp and the Khedive's Star. He became a favourite with Sir Evelyn Baring (afterwards Lord Cromer), the British representative. On 1 April 1885 he was promoted second secretary. For some weeks in the summers of 1886 and 1887 he took charge of the residency during Lord Cromer's absence, and conducted its affairs with credit.

In October 1887 Portal was ordered to attempt a reconciliation between the king of Abyssinia and the Italian government. To succeed in such a mission was almost impossible, but he made every effort, and showed rare judgement and coolness in travelling through a disturbed country. He returned on 31 December, without effecting his purpose, but with a considerably enhanced reputation. He was made CB, and in My Mission to Abyssinia (1888) he gave an account of the expedition.