Gerald Balfour, 4th Earl Of Balfour

Gerald Arthur James Balfour, 4th Earl of Balfour, was born on 23 December 1925 and died on 27 June 2003. He was a member of the British peerage and held the title of Earl of Balfour from November 1968 until his death. Prior to inheriting the earldom, he was styled Viscount Traprain from 1945 to 1968.

Balfour was the son of the 3rd Earl of Balfour and Jean Lily West Roundel Cooke-Yarborough. His education included attendance at Eton College. During World War II, he served in the Merchant Navy, initially aboard HMS Conway, and attained the rank of master mariner.

In his public career, Balfour served as a County Councillor for East Lothian from 1960 to 1974. He succeeded his father in the earldom in November 1968. Balfour married Natasha Georgina Anton on 14 December 1956. Natasha was the daughter of Captain George Anton. The couple did not have children. Upon Balfour's death, the title was inherited by his second cousin once removed, Roderick Balfour.

References to Balfour’s biography are found in sources such as "The Complete Peerage" edited by Peter W. Hammond, the announcements in The Daily Telegraph, and "Burke's Peerage and Baronetage," 106th edition edited by Charles Mosley. Additionally, the Hansard records include contributions in Parliament made by the Earl of Balfour. Judicial judgments involving the Earl are documented in the case of Earl of Balfour (Appellant) v Keeper of The Registers of Scotland and Others (Respondents).