Edward Francis Williams
Encyclopedia
Edward Francis Williams, Baron Francis-Williams (10 March 1903–5 June 1970), known as Frank Williams, was a British
newspaper editor.
Born in St Martin's, Shropshire
, Williams studied at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Middleton before entering journalism. He worked on the Bootle Times and then the Liverpool Courier, and was convinced of socialism
by the conditions he saw. He then moved to London to take up a post as a financial journalist on the Evening Standard
, but soon moved to the Daily Herald, a paper with views closer to his own. In 1936, he accepted the editorship of the Daily Herald, serving until 1940. In 1941, he became Controller of Press Censorship and News at the Ministry of Information, and for his work he was awarded a CBE
in 1945. He then became the public relations
advisor to Labour Party
Prime Minister
Clement Attlee
for two years. From 1951 to 1952, he was a governor of the BBC
. In 1962, he was created a life peer
.
Williams served as Regents' Professor at the University of California, Berkeley
, in 1961, and Kemper Knapp Visiting Professor at the University of Wisconsin from 1967 until his death. He wrote several books, including a biography of Ernest Bevin
, and he co-authored Clement Attlee
's autobiography.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
newspaper editor.
Born in St Martin's, Shropshire
St Martin's, Shropshire
The border village and civil parish of St Martin's is in Shropshire, England, just north of Oswestry and east of Chirk.-History:The ancient Parish of St Martin's was made up of the townships of Ifton, Wiggington, Bronygarth and Weston Rhyn. Each of these townships bordered Wales, with the River...
, Williams studied at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Middleton before entering journalism. He worked on the Bootle Times and then the Liverpool Courier, and was convinced of socialism
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
by the conditions he saw. He then moved to London to take up a post as a financial journalist on the Evening Standard
Evening Standard
The Evening Standard, now styled the London Evening Standard, is a free local daily newspaper, published Monday–Friday in tabloid format in London. It is the dominant regional evening paper for London and the surrounding area, with coverage of national and international news and City of London...
, but soon moved to the Daily Herald, a paper with views closer to his own. In 1936, he accepted the editorship of the Daily Herald, serving until 1940. In 1941, he became Controller of Press Censorship and News at the Ministry of Information, and for his work he was awarded a CBE
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
in 1945. He then became the public relations
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
advisor to Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
Clement Attlee
Clement Attlee
Clement Richard Attlee, 1st Earl Attlee, KG, OM, CH, PC, FRS was a British Labour politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951, and as the Leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955...
for two years. From 1951 to 1952, he was a governor of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
. In 1962, he was created a life peer
Life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
.
Williams served as Regents' Professor at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
, in 1961, and Kemper Knapp Visiting Professor at the University of Wisconsin from 1967 until his death. He wrote several books, including a biography of Ernest Bevin
Ernest Bevin
Ernest Bevin was a British trade union leader and Labour politician. He served as general secretary of the powerful Transport and General Workers' Union from 1922 to 1945, as Minister of Labour in the war-time coalition government, and as Foreign Secretary in the post-war Labour Government.-Early...
, and he co-authored Clement Attlee
Clement Attlee
Clement Richard Attlee, 1st Earl Attlee, KG, OM, CH, PC, FRS was a British Labour politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951, and as the Leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955...
's autobiography.