Early Life, Family
Stewart Graham Menzies was born in London into an immensely wealthy family, as the second son of John Graham Menzies and Susannah West Wilson, daughter of Arthur Wilson of Tranby Croft. His grandfather, Graham Menzies, was a whisky distiller who helped establish a cartel and made huge profits. His parents became friends of King Edward VII who at the time was rumoured to be Menzies' father, though this likely was not the case. Menzies was a nephew of Robert Stewart Menzies. But Menzies' father was dissolute, never established a worthwhile career, and wasted his share of the family fortune; he died of tuberculosis in 1911 in his early 50s, leaving only a minimal estate.
Menzies was educated at Eton College, becoming president of the student society Pop, and graduating in 1909. His achievements were in sports, he excelled at hunting and cross country running; and he was also an excellent student.
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