Michael de la Bédoyère
Encyclopedia
Count Michael Anthony Maurice de la Bédoyère (1900 – 1973) was an author, editor and journalist.
, Lancashire
, and took a first in Modern Greats at Campion Hall, Oxford University. His initial plans to become a Jesuit priest were abandoned. In 1930-1931 he lectured at the University of Minnesota
. In 1934 he became editor of the Catholic Herald, a post he held until 1962. During this time he transformed it from one of limited regional appeal into a more challenging and intellectual newspaper, which often brought it into conflict with the more conservative members of the Roman Catholic Church
. Circulation increased to six figures. After he left, he founded the magazine Search. During these years he wrote a number of books, mainly biographies such as those of Lafayette (1932), George Washington
(1935), St Francis of Assisi (1962),as well as theological works such as Christianity in the Market Place (1943).
During the late 1930s, de la Bédoyère's Catholic sympathies encouraged him to support in the pages of his newspaper the Nationalists led by General Franco
in the Spanish Civil War
. He was strongly anti-communist and believed support for the Nationalist side would hasten peace and be in the interests of Spain. However, he criticised Franco's bombing of Republican cities, saying "We deplore it because there is ground for discussing any plan that may save the lives of women and innocent children, his own country-folk, who will not forget, because Franco has set himself an extremely high ideal and as such he should do all that he can to render less inhuman an inevitable war, and because such bombing does his cause infinite harm from the point of view of world propaganda." During the second world war, he almost went to prison for criticising what he saw as Churchill's
appeasement of the "godless" Soviet Union.
De la Bédoyère had five children by his first wife and cousin, Catherine Thorold (d. 1959) and two by his second wife, Charlotte. Both he and his first wife were cousins and grandchildren of Bishop Anthony Wilson Thorold
; their mutual great-uncle was Henry Labouchere
through his sister Emily, the wife of Bishop Thorold. Michael's son Quentin de la Bédoyère still contributes to the Catholic Herald. Michael's eldest grandson is the historian Guy de la Bédoyère
. Martin, one of his sons by his second wife still runs Search Press, originally founded by his mother, Charlotte de la Bedoyere.
Life
He was educated at Stonyhurst CollegeStonyhurst College
Stonyhurst College is a Roman Catholic independent school, adhering to the Jesuit tradition. It is located on the Stonyhurst Estate near the village of Hurst Green in the Ribble Valley area of Lancashire, England, and occupies a Grade I listed building...
, 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...
, and took a first in Modern Greats at Campion Hall, Oxford University. His initial plans to become a Jesuit priest were abandoned. In 1930-1931 he lectured at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
. In 1934 he became editor of the Catholic Herald, a post he held until 1962. During this time he transformed it from one of limited regional appeal into a more challenging and intellectual newspaper, which often brought it into conflict with the more conservative members of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. Circulation increased to six figures. After he left, he founded the magazine Search. During these years he wrote a number of books, mainly biographies such as those of Lafayette (1932), George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
(1935), St Francis of Assisi (1962),as well as theological works such as Christianity in the Market Place (1943).
During the late 1930s, de la Bédoyère's Catholic sympathies encouraged him to support in the pages of his newspaper the Nationalists led by General Franco
Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco y Bahamonde was a Spanish general, dictator and head of state of Spain from October 1936 , and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in November, 1975...
in the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
. He was strongly anti-communist and believed support for the Nationalist side would hasten peace and be in the interests of Spain. However, he criticised Franco's bombing of Republican cities, saying "We deplore it because there is ground for discussing any plan that may save the lives of women and innocent children, his own country-folk, who will not forget, because Franco has set himself an extremely high ideal and as such he should do all that he can to render less inhuman an inevitable war, and because such bombing does his cause infinite harm from the point of view of world propaganda." During the second world war, he almost went to prison for criticising what he saw as Churchill's
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
appeasement of the "godless" Soviet Union.
De la Bédoyère had five children by his first wife and cousin, Catherine Thorold (d. 1959) and two by his second wife, Charlotte. Both he and his first wife were cousins and grandchildren of Bishop Anthony Wilson Thorold
Anthony Wilson Thorold
Anthony Wilson Thorold was an Anglican Bishop of Winchester in the Victorian era. The son of a Church of England priest, he also served as Bishop of Rochester. It was in that role that he traveled throughout North America and met with important leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day...
; their mutual great-uncle was Henry Labouchere
Henry Labouchere
Henry Du Pré Labouchère was an English politician, writer, publisher and theatre owner in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. He married the actress Henrietta Hodson....
through his sister Emily, the wife of Bishop Thorold. Michael's son Quentin de la Bédoyère still contributes to the Catholic Herald. Michael's eldest grandson is the historian Guy de la Bédoyère
Guy de la Bédoyère
Guy Martyn Thorold Huchet de la Bédoyère is a British historian, who has published widely on Roman Britain and other subjects, and has appeared regularly on the Channel 4 archaeological television series, Time Team. In 1999 he presented a three-part series called The Romans in Britain for BBC2,...
. Martin, one of his sons by his second wife still runs Search Press, originally founded by his mother, Charlotte de la Bedoyere.
Works
Selected works:- Lafayette. A Revolutionary Gentleman, Jonathan Cape, London, 1933.
- George Washington. An English Judgment, Harrap, London, 1935.
- Christian Crisis, Catholic Book Club, London, 1940.
- Catherine, Saint of Siena, Hollis & Carter, London, 1947.
- The Archbishop and the Lady. The Story of Fénelon and Madam Guyon, Collins, London, 1956.
- The Meddlesome Friar, Collins, London, 1958.
- Francis: a Biography of the Saint of Assisi, Harper & Row, London, 1962.
- Objections to Roman Catholicism, Constable, London, 1964.