There are three British agents and consuls general in Egypt between 1883 and the outbreak of the First World War in 1914: Lord Cromer (1883-1907), Sir John Eldon Gorst (1907-11), and Lord Herbert Kitchener (1911-14).

Cromer is an autocrat whose control over Egypt is more absolute than that of any Mamluk or
khedive.

Cromer believes his first task is to achieve financial solvency for Egypt.

He services the debt, balances the budget, and spends what money remains after debt payments on agriculture, irrigation, and railroads.

He neglects industry and education, a policy that becomes a political issue in the country.

He brings in British officials to staff the bureaucracy.

This policy, too, is controversial because it prevents Egyptian civil servants from rising to the top of their fields.