Encyclopedia, Difference between revisions of "Harold Harmsworth" - New World
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[[Image:Lord Rothermere.jpg|thumb|250px|Lord Rothermere]] | [[Image:Lord Rothermere.jpg|thumb|250px|Lord Rothermere]] | ||
| − | '''Harold Sidney Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Rothermere''' ( | + | '''Harold Sidney Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Rothermere''' (April 26, 1868 – November 26, 1940) was a highly successful [[United Kingdom|British]] [[newspaper]] proprietor, owner of ''Associated Newspapers'' and the founder of the Glasgow ''Daily Record'' and the ''Sunday Pictorial''. He is known in particular, with his brother [[Alfred Harmsworth]] (Lord Northcliffe), for the development of the [[London]] ''[[Daily Mail]]'' and ''[[Daily Mirror]]''. He was a pioneer of popular [[journalism]]. |
==Life and Work== | ==Life and Work== | ||
===Early life=== | ===Early life=== | ||
| − | '''Harold Harmsworth''', the son of an indigent English barrister, was born in [[London]], [[England]]. | + | '''Harold Sidney Harmsworth''', the son of an indigent English barrister, was born in [[London]], [[England]] on April 26, 1868. |
| + | |||
| + | He left school early to become a [[tax]] clerk, and afterwards a [[post office|postal]] clerk. When he was 21, his older brother [[Alfred Harmsworth]] persuaded him to join him in his [[magazine]]-publishing firm. In 1889 he started to work as the business manager of the ''Answers to Correspondents'' paper, the first paper of the Harmsworth brothers. Harold had a talent for [[business]], while his brother was a skilled editor, and so they worked together to build a successful journalism empire. | ||
===Newspaper career=== | ===Newspaper career=== | ||
| − | The success of ''Answers to Correspondents'' | + | The success of ''Answers to Correspondents'' [[newspaper]] helped the Harmsworths finance the children's paper, ''Comic Cuts'' and a woman's [[magazine]], ''Forget-Me-Nots''. In 1894 they purchased the ''Evening News'', turning it into a prosperous paper. In 1896 they started with publishing the ''[[Daily Mail]]'', which became one of the most successful papers in the country. It was the first newspapers in Britain that was particularly designed for masses. Slogans used to sell the newspaper included "A Penny Newspaper for One Halfpenny" and "The Busy Man's Daily Newspaper". |
| − | The ''Daily Mail'' reached circulation of 500,000, and during [[ | + | The ''Daily Mail'' reached circulation of 500,000, and during [[Boer War]] in 1899 even over a million. Based on such success, the brothers continued to expand their empire, and purchased the ''Sunday Dispatch'' and several other smaller newspapers. |
| − | In 1903 the Harmsworth brothers launched the first newspaper aimed at women, ''Daily Mirror''. Initially, after a rather cold reception, the Harmsworths were forced to change their business strategy. They lowered the price of | + | In 1903 the Harmsworth brothers launched the first newspaper aimed at women, the ''[[Daily Mirror]]''. Initially, after a rather cold reception, the Harmsworths were forced to change their business strategy. They lowered the price of the paper to a halfpenny, and filled it full of [[photography|photographs]]. Within a month sales had dramatically increased. |
| − | In 1910 Harmsworth was made a | + | In 1910, Harmsworth was made a baronet and in 1914 a baron. He was later raised to the peerage as Viscount Rothermere. |
| − | In 1914 Alfred Harmsworth decided to sell his share in the ''Daily Mirror'' to Harold. During | + | In 1914, Alfred Harmsworth decided to sell his share in the ''Daily Mirror'' to Harold. During [[World War I|WWI]] the ''Daily Mirror'' became the most popular newspaper on the Western Front. It was probable that soldiers liked the papers because it was full of pictures and photographs that showed life back home. Unfortunately, Harmsworth's sons were killed in the war. |
| − | After the death of his brother Alfred in 1922, Harmsworth took full control of their newspaper empire. He ran the ''Evening News'', the ''Sunday Pictorial'', the ''Sunday Dispatch'', ''Daily Mail'', as well as the ''Daily Mirror''. | + | After the death of his brother Alfred in 1922, Harold Harmsworth took full control of their newspaper empire. He ran the ''Evening News'', the ''Sunday Pictorial'', the ''Sunday Dispatch'', ''Daily Mail'', as well as the ''Daily Mirror''. |
===Stepping into politics=== | ===Stepping into politics=== | ||
| − | In 1917 Harmsworth was appointed the | + | In 1917, Harmsworth was appointed the president of the Air Council in the government of [[David Lloyd George]]. He vocally supported British government. |
In 1921, he founded the Anti-Waste League to combat what he saw as excessive government spending. | In 1921, he founded the Anti-Waste League to combat what he saw as excessive government spending. | ||
| − | Harmsworth was an active opponent of [[communism]]. In 1924, just four days before the general election, Rothermere published | + | Harmsworth was an active opponent of [[communism]]. In 1924, just four days before the general election, Rothermere published an article about what became known as the "Zinoviev Letter," urging British communists to promote [[revolution]]. The letter, later discovered to be a [[forgery]], contributed to the defeat of the Labour Government in the elections. |
===Revision of the post-WWI treaties=== | ===Revision of the post-WWI treaties=== | ||
| − | Rothermere strongly supported revision of the [[Treaty of Trianon]] in favor of [[Hungary]]. During the 1920s he led a campaign to help Hungary regain its land that | + | Rothermere strongly supported revision of the [[Treaty of Trianon]] in favor of [[Hungary]]. During the 1920s he led a campaign to help Hungary regain its land that had been given to [[Serbia]], [[Romania]], and [[Czechoslovakia]] as part of the country's punishment for participating in the [[World War I]] on the losing side. He became so popular in Hungary that he was offered the Hungarian Crown in 1927. He declined, but purchased estates in Hungary in case Britain should fall to a [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] invasion. There is a memorial to Rothermere in [[Budapest]]. |
===Aircraft business=== | ===Aircraft business=== | ||
| − | In 1934, a Mercury-engined version of the Bristol Type 135 cabin monoplane was ordered by Rothermere for his own use as part of a campaign to popularize commercial aviation. First flying in 1935, the aircraft caused great interest in Air Ministry circles on account of its top speed of 307 | + | In 1934, a Mercury-engined version of the Bristol Type 135 cabin monoplane was ordered by Rothermere for his own use as part of a campaign to popularize commercial [[aviation]]. First flying in 1935, the aircraft caused great interest in Air Ministry circles on account of its top speed of 307 miles per hour being higher than that of any R.A.F fighter in service. Lord Rothermere presented the aircraft (named "Britain First") to the nation for evaluation as a bomber, and in early 1936 the modified design was designated Blenheim Mk.I |
===Later career=== | ===Later career=== | ||
| − | In later life Rothermere became rather conservative and increasingly [[nationalism|nationalistic]]. In 1929 he joined Lord [[William Maxwell Beaverbrook|Beaverbrook]] to form the United Empire Party. He urged the members of the Conservative Party to replace its leader, [[Stanley Baldwin]] with Beaverbrook. | + | In later life Lord Rothermere became rather conservative and increasingly [[nationalism|nationalistic]]. In 1929 he joined Lord [[William Maxwell Beaverbrook|Beaverbrook]] to form the United Empire Party. He also urged the members of the Conservative Party to replace its leader, [[Stanley Baldwin]] with Beaverbrook. |
| − | + | Lord Rothermere used his [[newspaper]] ownership in attempts to influence British politics, notably being a strong supporter of appeasement towards [[Naziism|Nazi]] [[Germany]], in part—it is thought—because of a shattering experience during the [[World War I|First World War]] when he had two sons reported killed in the same week. In the 1930s, he argued for increased defense spending while being the owner of the only major newspapers to advocate an alliance with Germany. The Rothermere papers for a time in 1934 championed the British Union of Fascists (B.U.F), and were again the only major papers that did so. | |
| − | Secret British government papers released in 2005 show that Rothermere wrote to [[Adolf Hitler]] congratulating him for the annexation of [[Czechoslovakia]] in 1938, and encouraged him to march into [[Romania]]. The [[MI5]] papers also show that Rothermere paid a retainer of £5,000 per year to | + | Secret British government papers released in 2005 show that Rothermere wrote to [[Adolf Hitler]] congratulating him for the annexation of [[Czechoslovakia]] in 1938, and encouraged him to march into [[Romania]]. The [[MI5]] papers also show that Rothermere paid a retainer of £5,000 per year to Stephanie Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-Schillingfurst, a glamorous [[Austria]]n princess and German spy, intending that she should bring him closer to Hitler's inner circle. She was known as "London's leading Nazi hostess." The secret services had been monitoring her since she came to Britain in the 1920s and regarded her as "an extremely dangerous person". As [[World War II]] loomed, Rothermere stopped the payments and their relationship deteriorated into threats and lawsuits. |
===Death=== | ===Death=== | ||
| − | In 1932 Harmsworth retired as | + | In 1932 Harold Harmsworth retired as chairman of Associated Newspapers, Ltd., turning the management over to his son Esmond. By that time he was among the richest people in Britain. In 1940 Baron [[William Maxwell Beaverbrook|Beaverbrook]] sent Harmsworth to a special war mission to [[Canada]] and the [[United States]]. Upon the completion of the job, Harmsworth went to [[Bermuda]] to take a rest. He died of dropsy in Bermuda, at the age of 72. |
==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
| − | Harold Harmsworth, together with his brother Alfred, built the most successful journalistic empire in British history and started popular journalism in that country. They founded the ''Daily Mail'', which was the first British paper for the masses. Rothermere's descendants continue to control the ''Daily Mail'' and General Trust Plc. | + | Harold Harmsworth, together with his brother Alfred, built the most successful journalistic empire in British history and started popular [[journalism]] in that country. They founded the ''[[Daily Mail]]'', which was the first British paper for the masses. Rothermere's descendants continue to control the ''Daily Mail'' and General Trust Plc. |
==Publications== | ==Publications== | ||
| Line 72: | Line 74: | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| − | + | * [http://www.budapest-photo.hu/Magyar%20Igazsag%20kutja.htm Rothermere memorial in Budapest] – Photos of the monument in Budapest. Retrieved March 23, 2007. | |
| − | * [http://www.budapest-photo.hu/Magyar%20Igazsag%20kutja.htm Rothermere memorial in Budapest] – Photos of the monument in Budapest | + | * [http://www.ketupa.net/dmgt.htm DMG, Rothermere and Northcliffe] – Profile of ''Daily Mail'' & General Trust, founded by Harmsworths. Retrieved March 23, 2007. |
| − | * [http://www.ketupa.net/dmgt.htm DMG, Rothermere and Northcliffe] – Profile of ''Daily Mail'' & General Trust, founded by Harmsworths | ||
{{Credit1|Harold_Harmsworth,_1st_Viscount_Rothermere|101251206|}} | {{Credit1|Harold_Harmsworth,_1st_Viscount_Rothermere|101251206|}} | ||
Revision as of 19:49, 23 March 2007
Harold Sidney Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Rothermere (April 26, 1868 – November 26, 1940) was a highly successful British newspaper proprietor, owner of Associated Newspapers and the founder of the Glasgow Daily Record and the Sunday Pictorial. He is known in particular, with his brother Alfred Harmsworth (Lord Northcliffe), for the development of the London Daily Mail and Daily Mirror. He was a pioneer of popular journalism.
Life and Work
Early life
Harold Sidney Harmsworth, the son of an indigent English barrister, was born in London, England on April 26, 1868.
He left school early to become a tax clerk, and afterwards a postal clerk. When he was 21, his older brother Alfred Harmsworth persuaded him to join him in his magazine-publishing firm. In 1889 he started to work as the business manager of the Answers to Correspondents paper, the first paper of the Harmsworth brothers. Harold had a talent for business, while his brother was a skilled editor, and so they worked together to build a successful journalism empire.
Newspaper career
The success of Answers to Correspondents newspaper helped the Harmsworths finance the children's paper, Comic Cuts and a woman's magazine, Forget-Me-Nots. In 1894 they purchased the Evening News, turning it into a prosperous paper. In 1896 they started with publishing the Daily Mail, which became one of the most successful papers in the country. It was the first newspapers in Britain that was particularly designed for masses. Slogans used to sell the newspaper included "A Penny Newspaper for One Halfpenny" and "The Busy Man's Daily Newspaper".
The Daily Mail reached circulation of 500,000, and during Boer War in 1899 even over a million. Based on such success, the brothers continued to expand their empire, and purchased the Sunday Dispatch and several other smaller newspapers.
In 1903 the Harmsworth brothers launched the first newspaper aimed at women, the Daily Mirror. Initially, after a rather cold reception, the Harmsworths were forced to change their business strategy. They lowered the price of the paper to a halfpenny, and filled it full of photographs. Within a month sales had dramatically increased.
In 1910, Harmsworth was made a baronet and in 1914 a baron. He was later raised to the peerage as Viscount Rothermere.
In 1914, Alfred Harmsworth decided to sell his share in the Daily Mirror to Harold. During WWI the Daily Mirror became the most popular newspaper on the Western Front. It was probable that soldiers liked the papers because it was full of pictures and photographs that showed life back home. Unfortunately, Harmsworth's sons were killed in the war.
After the death of his brother Alfred in 1922, Harold Harmsworth took full control of their newspaper empire. He ran the Evening News, the Sunday Pictorial, the Sunday Dispatch, Daily Mail, as well as the Daily Mirror.
Stepping into politics
In 1917, Harmsworth was appointed the president of the Air Council in the government of David Lloyd George. He vocally supported British government.
In 1921, he founded the Anti-Waste League to combat what he saw as excessive government spending.
Harmsworth was an active opponent of communism. In 1924, just four days before the general election, Rothermere published an article about what became known as the "Zinoviev Letter," urging British communists to promote revolution. The letter, later discovered to be a forgery, contributed to the defeat of the Labour Government in the elections.
Revision of the post-WWI treaties
Rothermere strongly supported revision of the Treaty of Trianon in favor of Hungary. During the 1920s he led a campaign to help Hungary regain its land that had been given to Serbia, Romania, and Czechoslovakia as part of the country's punishment for participating in the World War I on the losing side. He became so popular in Hungary that he was offered the Hungarian Crown in 1927. He declined, but purchased estates in Hungary in case Britain should fall to a Soviet invasion. There is a memorial to Rothermere in Budapest.
Aircraft business
In 1934, a Mercury-engined version of the Bristol Type 135 cabin monoplane was ordered by Rothermere for his own use as part of a campaign to popularize commercial aviation. First flying in 1935, the aircraft caused great interest in Air Ministry circles on account of its top speed of 307 miles per hour being higher than that of any R.A.F fighter in service. Lord Rothermere presented the aircraft (named "Britain First") to the nation for evaluation as a bomber, and in early 1936 the modified design was designated Blenheim Mk.I
Later career
In later life Lord Rothermere became rather conservative and increasingly nationalistic. In 1929 he joined Lord Beaverbrook to form the United Empire Party. He also urged the members of the Conservative Party to replace its leader, Stanley Baldwin with Beaverbrook.
Lord Rothermere used his newspaper ownership in attempts to influence British politics, notably being a strong supporter of appeasement towards Nazi Germany, in part—it is thought—because of a shattering experience during the First World War when he had two sons reported killed in the same week. In the 1930s, he argued for increased defense spending while being the owner of the only major newspapers to advocate an alliance with Germany. The Rothermere papers for a time in 1934 championed the British Union of Fascists (B.U.F), and were again the only major papers that did so.
Secret British government papers released in 2005 show that Rothermere wrote to Adolf Hitler congratulating him for the annexation of Czechoslovakia in 1938, and encouraged him to march into Romania. The MI5 papers also show that Rothermere paid a retainer of £5,000 per year to Stephanie Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-Schillingfurst, a glamorous Austrian princess and German spy, intending that she should bring him closer to Hitler's inner circle. She was known as "London's leading Nazi hostess." The secret services had been monitoring her since she came to Britain in the 1920s and regarded her as "an extremely dangerous person". As World War II loomed, Rothermere stopped the payments and their relationship deteriorated into threats and lawsuits.
Death
In 1932 Harold Harmsworth retired as chairman of Associated Newspapers, Ltd., turning the management over to his son Esmond. By that time he was among the richest people in Britain. In 1940 Baron Beaverbrook sent Harmsworth to a special war mission to Canada and the United States. Upon the completion of the job, Harmsworth went to Bermuda to take a rest. He died of dropsy in Bermuda, at the age of 72.
Legacy
Harold Harmsworth, together with his brother Alfred, built the most successful journalistic empire in British history and started popular journalism in that country. They founded the Daily Mail, which was the first British paper for the masses. Rothermere's descendants continue to control the Daily Mail and General Trust Plc.
Publications
- Harmsworth, Harold S. 1939. My campaign for Hungary. London: Eyre and Spottiswoode
- Harmsworth, Harold S. 1939. My fight to rearm Britain. London: Eyre and Spottiswoode
- Harmsworth, Harold S. 1939. Warnings and predictions. London: Eyre and Spottiswoode
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Boyce, George D. 2004. "Harmsworth, Harold Sidney, first Viscount Rothermere (1868–1940)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press
- Britannica Online. Harold Sidney Harmsworth 1st Viscount Rothermere. Retrieved on March 16, 2007, http://www.britannica.com/ebc/article-9064189
- Clarke, Peter. 2004. Hope and Glory: Britain 1900-2000. Penguin. ISBN 0141011750
- Death of a Viscount. Time Magazine, Monday, Dec. 09, 1940. Retrieved on March 16, 2007, <http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,765027,00.html>
- Ferris, Paul. 1971. The house of Northcliffe: The Harmsworths of Fleet Street. Weidenfeld and Nicolson. ISBN 0297993860
- Schad, Martha. 2004. Hitler's Spy Princess: The Extraordinary Lifeof Princess Stephanie von Hohenlohe. Sutton Publishing. ISBN 0750935146
- Spartacus Educational. Harold Harmsworth. Retrieved on March 16, 2007, http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/BUrothermere.htm
- Taylor, S.J. 1996. The Great Outsiders: Northcliffe, Rothermere and the Rise of the Daily Mail. Weidenfeld & Nicolson, Ltd. ISBN 0297816535
External links
- Rothermere memorial in Budapest – Photos of the monument in Budapest. Retrieved March 23, 2007.
- DMG, Rothermere and Northcliffe – Profile of Daily Mail & General Trust, founded by Harmsworths. Retrieved March 23, 2007.
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