Jimmy Shields (journalist)
Encyclopedia
Jimmy Shields was a British
communist activist and newspaper editor.
Born in Greenock
, Shields joined the Communist Party of Great Britain
(CPGB) in 1921. Out of work, he moved to South Africa
in 1925, where he joined the Communist Party of South Africa, becoming its General Secretary within months. During this period, one of his speeches convinced Edwin Thabo Mofutsanyana to join the party.
Shields returned to Scotland in 1927, where he served in various posts for the CPGB, culminating in his election to the national executive. He also served as editor of the Daily Worker. From 1932, he also served as the British representative to the Comintern
, and he travelled extensively as head of the CPGB's international department.
Shields contracted tuberculosis
during World War II
and spent much of the war at Holt
Sanitorium. He died there in 1949.
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...
communist activist and newspaper editor.
Born in Greenock
Greenock
Greenock is a town and administrative centre in the Inverclyde council area in United Kingdom, and a former burgh within the historic county of Renfrewshire, located in the west central Lowlands of Scotland...
, Shields joined the Communist Party of Great Britain
Communist Party of Great Britain
The Communist Party of Great Britain was the largest communist party in Great Britain, although it never became a mass party like those in France and Italy. It existed from 1920 to 1991.-Formation:...
(CPGB) in 1921. Out of work, he moved to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
in 1925, where he joined the Communist Party of South Africa, becoming its General Secretary within months. During this period, one of his speeches convinced Edwin Thabo Mofutsanyana to join the party.
Shields returned to Scotland in 1927, where he served in various posts for the CPGB, culminating in his election to the national executive. He also served as editor of the Daily Worker. From 1932, he also served as the British representative to the Comintern
Comintern
The Communist International, abbreviated as Comintern, also known as the Third International, was an international communist organization initiated in Moscow during March 1919...
, and he travelled extensively as head of the CPGB's international department.
Shields contracted tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and spent much of the war at Holt
Holt, Norfolk
Holt is a market town and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The town is north of the city of Norwich, west of Cromer and east of King's Lynn. The town is on the route of the A148 King's Lynn to Cromer road. The nearest railway station is in the town of Sheringham where access to the...
Sanitorium. He died there in 1949.