H. F. Askwith was a British civil servant and educationalist. He was born in 1864 and educated at the University of Cambridge. He was a member of the Indian Civil Service from 1887 to 1902, during which time he served in various posts in India. He was also a member of the Indian Education Commission from 1902 to 1903. After his return to England, he was appointed Secretary of the Board of Education in 1906. He was responsible for the introduction of the Education Act of 1902, which provided for free elementary education in England and Wales. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the University of London in 1908. He was knighted in 1911 for his services to education. He died in 1933.