Frederick Higginbottom
Encyclopedia
Frederick James Higginbottom (October 21, 1859 - May 12, 1943) was a British
journalist and newspaper editor.
The son of a mathematics tutor, Higginbottom was born in Accrington
, Lancashire
. He began his career as a journalist with the Southport Daily News at the age of fifteen, and became the editor of the Southport Visiter just five years later. Though a small paper, it provided him with an opportunity to demonstrate his skills, and he was hired by the Press Association
in 1881 to serve as their Dublin correspondent in 1882.
Higginbottom moved to London in 1892, where he served briefly as a correspondent for an Irish newspaper before founding the London Press Exchange, which provided news and advertising for the provincial press. He also started working for the Pall Mall Gazette
as their parliamentary correspondent. In 1900, he left for a position with the Daily Chronicle
, but returned to the Pall Mall Gazette soon afterward.
In 1909, Higginbottom was named editor of the Pall Mall Gazette by its owner, William Waldorf Astor
. As editor, Higginbottom proved capable but unimaginative. He did little to change the paper's position on the issues of the day, nor did he succeed in restoring the Gazette to profitability. After three years as editor, Astor replaced him with J. L. Garvin
and Higginbottom returned to his position as parliamentary correspondent. He continued with the Pall Mall Gazette (apart from a brief period as director of press intelligence for the Ministry of National Service in 1917-18) until 1919, when he moved to the Daily Chronicle. He worked for the Chronicle until his retirement in 1930.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
journalist and newspaper editor.
The son of a mathematics tutor, Higginbottom was born in Accrington
Accrington
Accrington is a town in Lancashire, within the borough of Hyndburn. It lies about east of Blackburn, west of Burnley, north of Manchester city centre and is situated on the mostly culverted River Hyndburn...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
. He began his career as a journalist with the Southport Daily News at the age of fifteen, and became the editor of the Southport Visiter just five years later. Though a small paper, it provided him with an opportunity to demonstrate his skills, and he was hired by the Press Association
Press Association
The Press Association is the national news agency of the United Kingdom and Ireland, supplying multimedia news content to almost all national and regional newspapers, television and radio news, as well as many websites with text, pictures, video and data content globally...
in 1881 to serve as their Dublin correspondent in 1882.
Higginbottom moved to London in 1892, where he served briefly as a correspondent for an Irish newspaper before founding the London Press Exchange, which provided news and advertising for the provincial press. He also started working for the Pall Mall Gazette
Pall Mall Gazette
The Pall Mall Gazette was an evening newspaper founded in London on 7 February 1865 by George Murray Smith; its first editor was Frederick Greenwood...
as their parliamentary correspondent. In 1900, he left for a position with the Daily Chronicle
Daily Chronicle
The Daily Chronicle was a British newspaper that was published from 1872 to 1930 when it merged with the Daily News to become the News Chronicle.-History:...
, but returned to the Pall Mall Gazette soon afterward.
In 1909, Higginbottom was named editor of the Pall Mall Gazette by its owner, William Waldorf Astor
William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor
William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor was a very wealthy American who became a British nobleman. He was a member of the prominent Astor family.-Life in United States:...
. As editor, Higginbottom proved capable but unimaginative. He did little to change the paper's position on the issues of the day, nor did he succeed in restoring the Gazette to profitability. After three years as editor, Astor replaced him with J. L. Garvin
James Louis Garvin
For the basketball player, see James Garvin James Louis Garvin , was an influential British journalist, editor, and author...
and Higginbottom returned to his position as parliamentary correspondent. He continued with the Pall Mall Gazette (apart from a brief period as director of press intelligence for the Ministry of National Service in 1917-18) until 1919, when he moved to the Daily Chronicle. He worked for the Chronicle until his retirement in 1930.