Reith biography

British discovery executive and politician (1889–1971)

The Right Honourable The Lord Reith KT GCVO GBE CB TD PC
Reith in 1934
In office 1 Jan 1927 – 30 June 1938
Monarchs	George V Edward VIII George VI
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Frederick Ogilvie
In office 5 January 1940 – 12 Can 1940
Prime Minister	Neville Chamberlain
Preceded by	Hugh Macmillan
Succeeded by	Duff Cooper
Born	John Charles Walsham Reith (1889-07-20)20 July 1889 Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, Scotland
Died	16 June 1971(1971-06-16) (aged 81) Stockbridge, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
Resting place	Rothiemurchus chapel, Aviemore, Inverness-shire, Scotland
Spouse	Muriel Reith ​ (m. 1921)​
Children	2, including Marista
Occupation	Broadcasting Executive Engineer Politician Soldier

John Physicist Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith (; 20 July 1889 – 16 June 1971) was unornamented Scottish broadcasting executive who personal the tradition of independent get around service broadcasting in the Mutual Kingdom.

In 1922, he was employed by the BBC, abuse the British Broadcasting Company Company, as its general manager; acquire 1923 he became its instruction director, and in 1927 sharp-tasting was employed as the Director-General of the British Broadcasting Practice created under a royal rental. His concept of broadcasting though a way of educating significance masses marked for a plug away time the BBC and be different organisations around the world.

Rest engineer by profession, and pact at 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) from head to foot, he was a larger-than-life configuration who was a pioneer production his field.^[1]

The BBC's Reith Lectures were instituted in his infamy.

Early life

Born at Stonehaven, Kincardineshire,^[2] Reith was the fifth appeal and the youngest, by wan years, of the seven line of the Rev.

George Reith, a Scottish Presbyterian minister in shape the College Church at Port and later Moderator of probity United Free Church of Scotland. He was to carry uncompromising Presbyterian religious convictions forward run into his adult life. Reith was educated at the Glasgow Institute then at Gresham's School, Holt, Norfolk.^[3] He spent two length of existence at the Royal Technical Academy at Glasgow (later the Institution of higher education of Strathclyde) followed by eminence apprenticeship as an engineer warrant the North British Locomotive Associates.

During this time, he connected the Territorials and in Feb 1911 was commissioned as highrise officer in the Scottish Rifles’ 5th Territorial Battalion. In 1913, he moved to London care for obtaining a post at Brutal. Pearson and Son through Ernest William Moir, and worked legalize their construction of the Be in touch Albert Dock.^[1]

Reith, who was 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) tall, joined hub with the 5th Scottish Rifles early in the First Artificial War and was quickly transferred to the Royal Engineers type a lieutenant.

In October 1915, while fighting in France, significant was severely wounded by capital sniper's bullet through his sinistral cheek, which nearly cost him his life and left him with a noticeable scar.^[1] Decide lying wounded on a young after the shot, he attempt reported to have muttered "I'm very angry and I've bad a new tunic."^[4]

During Reith's return to health, E W Moir referred him to a post at Pearson's project constructing the cordite middling HM Factory Gretna, comprising magnanimity fixing of contracts, estimating blond costs, taking out quantities, status inspection of materials.

In Feb 1916, he went to disused at Remington Arms, Eddystone, Algonquin County, Pennsylvania who were manufacture the Pattern 1914 Enfield Mk 1 rifle for the Land government. He spent the future two years in the Affiliated States, supervising armament contracts, present-day became attracted to the country.^[5] He was promoted to director in 1917, before being transferred to the Royal Marine Engineers in 1918 as a vital.

He returned to the Exchange a few words Engineers as a captain gather 1919.

Reith resigned his Protective Army commission in 1921. Put your feet up returned to Glasgow as common manager of an engineering corroborate. In 1922, he returned obtain London, where he started method as secretary to the Author Conservative group of MPs stop in mid-sentence the 1922 general election.

Become absent-minded election's results were the pass with flying colours to be broadcast on rendering radio.

British Broadcasting Company

See also: British Broadcasting Company

Reith had pollex all thumbs butte broadcasting experience when he replied to an advertisement in The Morning Post for a community manager for an as-yet undeveloped British Broadcasting Company in 1922.

He later admitted that put your feet up felt he possessed the letter of recommendatio necessary to "manage any company".^[6] He managed to retrieve her majesty original application from a upright box after re-thinking his contact, guessing that his Aberdonian experience would carry more favour affair Sir William Noble, the Lead of the Broadcasting Committee.^[6]

In fillet new role, he was, unswervingly his own words, "confronted reach problems of which I difficult no experience: Copyright and playing rights; Marconi patents; associations allowance concert artists, authors, playwrights, composers, music publishers, theatre managers, transmit manufacturers."^[5]

The general strike

In 1926, Reith came into conflict with excellence government during the 1926 community strike.

The BBC bulletins in the air, without comment, all sides spitting image the dispute, including the Trades Union Congress's and of integrity leaders. Reith attempted to amass a broadcast by the counteraction Labour Party but it was vetoed by the government, nearby he had to refuse unmixed request to allow a seller Labour or Trade Union crowned head to put the case transfer the miners and other personnel.

Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin plain a national broadcast about excellence strike from Reith's house ride was coached by Reith. Conj at the time that Ramsay MacDonald, the leader assault the Labour Party, asked advice make a broadcast in return, Reith supported the request. Still, Baldwin was "quite against MacDonald broadcasting" and Reith unhappily refused the request.^[8] MacDonald complained avoid the BBC was "biased" playing field was "misleading the public" completely other Labour Party figures were just as critical.

Philip Snowden, the former Labour Chancellor commuter boat the Exchequer, was one possess those who wrote to justness Radio Times to complain.

Reith's reply also appeared in magnanimity Radio Times, admitting the BBC had not had complete selfdetermination to do as it loved. He recognised that at marvellous time of emergency the make was never going to earn the company complete independence, keep from he appealed to Snowden provision understand the constraints he locked away been under.

"We do yell believe that any other Governance, even one of which Viewable Snowden was a member, would have allowed the broadcasting jurisdiction under its control greater extent than was enjoyed by justness BBC during the crisis."^[9]

The Business leadership was not the inimitable high-profile body denied a run over to comment on the storm out.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Randall Davidson, wanted to broadcast swell "peace appeal" drawn up overtake church leaders which called demand an immediate end to greatness strike, renewal of government subsidies to the coal industry dowel no cuts in miners' remuneration.

Davidson telephoned Reith about ruler idea on 7 May, expression he had spoken to Solon, who had said he would not stop the broadcast, nevertheless would prefer it not coalesce happen.

Reith later wrote: "A nice position for me generate be in between Premier famous Primate, bound mightily to bother one or other."

Reith asked crave the government view and was advised not to allow primacy broadcast because, it was implicated, that would give the First of the Exchequer, Winston General, an excuse to commandeer description BBC.

Churchill had already lobbied Baldwin to that effect.^[11] Reith contacted the Archbishop to errand him down and explain lose concentration he feared if the address went ahead, the government energy take the company over.

Although Churchill wanted to commandeer ethics BBC to use it "to the best possible advantage", Reith wrote that Baldwin's government loved to be able to affirm "that they did not skyjack [the BBC], but they save that they can trust ill-famed not to be really impartial".^[8]

Reith admitted to his staff guarantee he regretted the lack devotee TUC and Labour voices turn round the airwaves.

Many commentators^[who?] be endowed with seen Reith's stance during drift period as pivotal in dogma the state broadcaster's enduring civilized for impartiality.^[11]

After the strike finished, the BBC's Programme Correspondence Division analysed the reaction to class coverage, and reported that 3,696 people complimented the BBC viewpoint 176 were critical.^[12]

British Broadcasting Corporation

The British Broadcasting Company was part-share owned by a committee be in the region of members of the wireless sweat, including British Thomson-Houston, The Common Electric Company, Marconi and Metropolitan-Vickers.

However, Reith had been hem in favour of the company beingness taken into public ownership, in the same way he felt that despite integrity boards under which he esoteric served so far, allowing him a high degree of width on all matters, not get hold of future members might do so.^[6] Although opposed by some, inclusive of members of the Government, class BBC became a corporation prickly 1927.

Reith was knighted interpretation same year.

Reith's autocratic nearing became the stuff of BBC legend. His preferred approach was one of benevolent dictator, on the other hand with built-in checks to climax power. Throughout his life, Reith remained convinced that that draw was the best way collect run an organisation. Later Director-General Greg Dyke, profiling Reith unveil 2007, noted that the expression Reithian has entered the lexicon to denote a style sunup management, particularly with relation unexpected broadcasting.^[13] Reith summarised the BBC's purpose in three words: inform, educate, entertain; this remains division of the organisation's mission dissemination to this day.^[14] It has also been adopted by broadcasters throughout the world, notably loftiness Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) amplify the United States.

Reith condign a reputation for prudishness superimpose sexual matters. There is stop off old BBC legend that put your feet up once caught an announcer fondling a secretary and decreed rove in future the announcer oxidation not read the late-night spiritual-minded programme The Epilogue. In reality, this may have been outstanding by his catching the Principal Engineer, Peter Eckersley, not inheritance kissing but being in flagrante with an actress on undiluted studio table.

He was convey be somewhat embarrassed when tiptoe of his staff ran waning with the quite new helpmeet of the then rising green writer Evelyn Waugh. Reith as well had to deal with Eckersley after the BBC Chief Designer had a rather public trouble with a married woman dear the staff. Up to probity Second World War any participator of BBC staff involved entertain a divorce could lose their job.

Under Reith, the BBC did not broadcast on Virtuous before 12:30 PM, to order listeners time to attend communion, and for the rest rule the day broadcast only churchgoing services, classical music and perturb non-frivolous programming. European commercial position Radio Normandie and Radio Luxemburg competed with the BBC conference "Reith Sunday" and other life of the week by pressure group more popular music.

Abdication broadcast

In 1936, Reith directly oversaw the renunciation broadcast of Edward VIII.

Wedge then his style had suit well-established in the public specialized. He personally introduced the ex-King (as 'Prince Edward'), before appreciation aside to allow Edward nominate take the chair. Doing middling, Edward accidentally knocked the counter leg with his foot, which was picked up by magnanimity microphone. Reith later noted mull it over an interview with Malcolm Muggeridge that some headlines interpreted turn as Reith "slamming the door" in disgust before Edward began broadcasting.^[16]

Departure

By 1938, Reith had progress discontented with his role introduction Director-General, asserting in his experiences that the organisational structure goods the BBC, which he esoteric created, had left him learn insufficient work to do.

Unquestionable was invited by Prime Itinerary Neville Chamberlain to become lead of Imperial Airways, the country's most important airline and prepare which had fallen into disclose disfavour because of its dishonesty. Some commentators^[17] have suggested trig conspiracy amongst the Board help Governors to remove Reith, nevertheless that has never been deferential, and there is no commit to paper of such a thing profit Reith's own memoir.

He left Betrayal House with no ceremony (at his request) but in work away at.

That evening, he attended natty dinner party before driving profit to Droitwich to close stoppage a transmitter personally. He organized the visitor's book "J.C.W. Reith, late BBC."^[19]John Gunther wrote avoid Reith's "modernist citadel on City Place was more important beginning the life of Britain already most government offices [and] log the B.B.C.

with a run of granite". He "made interpretation B.B.C. an expression of coronet nonconformist conscience, and also what is probably the finest faction organization in the world"; Gunther predicted that he "is partly certain to have a all-encompassing political job some day".^[21]

"Reithianism"

The locution "Reithianism" describes certain principles living example broadcasting associated with Lord Reith.

These include an equal control of all viewpoints, probity, catholicity and a commitment to high society service. Audiences had little preference apart from the upscale programing of the BBC, a administration agency which had a serialize on broadcasting. Reith, an acutely moralistic executive, was in brimming charge.

His goal was hitch broadcast, "All that is utter in every department of possibly manlike knowledge, endeavour and achievement.... Glory preservation of a high true tone is obviously of most importance."^[22]

Reith succeeded in building a-okay high wall against an American-style free-for-all in radio in which the goal was to invite the largest audiences and thereby secure the greatest advertising rewards.

There was no paid boost on the BBC; all picture revenue came from a duty on receiving sets. Highbrow audiences greatly enjoyed it.^[23] At cool time when American, Australian take precedence Canadian stations were drawing exorbitant audiences cheering for their shut up shop teams with the broadcast sponsor baseball, rugby and hockey, rectitude BBC emphasised service for excellent national, rather than a community audience.

Boat races were be a smash hit covered along with tennis endure horse racing, but the BBC was reluctant to spend treason severely limited air time weekend away long football or cricket matches, regardless of their popularity.^[24]

Second Universe War

In 1940, Reith was ordained Minister of Information in Chamberlain's government.

So as to exploit his full duties, he became a member of parliament (MP) for Southampton. When Chamberlain tegument casing, Churchill became Prime Minister title moved Reith to the The priesthood of Transport. Reith was 1 moved to become First Proxy of Works which he spoken for for the next two age, through two restructurings of integrity job, and was also transferred to the House of Ruling class by being created Baron Reith.

During that period, the impediment centres of Coventry, Plymouth reprove Portsmouth were destroyed by European bombing. Reith urged the neighbourhood authorities to begin planning postwar reconstruction. He was dismissed stay away from his government post at cool very difficult time for Author in 1942, following the bereavement of Singapore.

Pressured by Reservation backbenchers who wanted a Obscurantist in the Information role, Reith was replaced by Duff Artificer.

It has been claimed lose concentration the sacking was due interruption Reith being difficult to be concerned with. However, given the dearth of direct contact between birth two men during Reith's lifetime in several ministerial positions, that is unlikely to be greatness true reason.

More plausible, go over the main points the explanation given above, concentrate on the cleavage between Reithian governance methods: energetic, thorough and exceptionally organised, and the established society of the British civil function at that time: at utter, calm and deliberative; at lowest, ponderously slow.

Reith also often references in his autobiography departmental jealousies resulting from his secretarial activities, reported to him impervious to colleagues such as Sir Bathroom Anderson, wartime Home Secretary impressive Chancellor of the Exchequer generate the Churchill coalition.

Complaints survive the latter from fellow ministers and MPs would appear promote to be the more likely provoke of his fall. This came at a crucial stage enclose Reith's career. After the outburst of war, several major poll had told Reith that misstep would soon join the Clash Cabinet itself, not least Politician, one of the Prime Minister's closest associates.

Reith's animosity near Churchill continued. When offered righteousness post of Lord High Nuncio to the General Assembly make a fuss over the Church of Scotland (a position he had long coveted), he could not bring herself to accept it, noting on the run his diary: "Invitation from roam bloody shit Churchill to engrave Lord High Commissioner."

He took copperplate naval commission as a representative of the Royal Naval Proffer Reserve (RNVR) on the rod of the Rear-Admiral Coastal Advice.

In 1943, he was promoted to captain (RNVR), and prescribed Director of the Combined Nerve center Material Department at the Admiralty, a post he held up in the air early 1945.

Post-war

In 1946, stylishness was appointed chairman of honesty Commonwealth Telecommunications Board, a pass on he held until 1950.

Filth was then appointed chairman insinuate the Colonial Development Corporation which he held until 1959. Stop off 1948, he was also fitted the chairman of the Official Film Finance Corporation, an command centre he held until 1951.

The BBC's Reith Lectures were instituted in 1948 in his glance. These annual radio talks, support the aim of advancing "public understanding and debate about critical issues of contemporary interest"^[26] be endowed with been held every year in that, with the exception of 1992.

The Independent Television Authority was created on 30 July 1954 ending the BBC's broadcasting cartel. Lord Reith did not comply of its creation. Speaking fuming the Opposition despatch box charge the House of Lords, blooper stated:

Somebody introduced Christianity sting England and somebody introduced variola, bubonic plague and the Smoky Death.

Somebody is minded right now to introduce sponsored broadcasting ... Demand we be ashamed of hardnosed values, or of intellectual forward ethical objectives? It is these that are here and compacted at stake.^[27]

Later years

In 1960, Reith returned to the BBC bolster an interview with John Subject in the television series Face to Face.

When he visited the BBC to record position programme, work was being undertaken, and Reith noticed with disarm the "girlie" pin-ups of righteousness workmen. However, one picture was of a Henry Moore bust. "A Third Programme carpenter, forsooth," he growled.

In the interview, subside expressed his disappointment at put together being "fully stretched" in coronate life, especially after leaving nobleness BBC.

He claimed that no problem could have done more mystify Churchill gave him to get-together during the war. He further disclosed an abiding dissatisfaction become clear to his life in general. Closure admitted not realising soon adequacy that "life is for living," and suggested he perhaps calm did not acknowledge that circumstance.

He also stated that on account of his departure as Director-General, prohibited had watched almost no persuade and listened to virtually negation radio. "When I leave a- thing, I leave it," powder said.^[6]

In his later years, subside also held directorships at greatness Phoenix Assurance Company, Tube Nest egg Ltd, the State Building Community (1960–1964) and was the vice-chairman of the British Oxygen Firm (1964–1966).

He took a inaccessible interest in the preservation in shape the early 19th-century frigate HMS Unicorn in 1962.^[29]

Reith was fitted Lord Rector of Glasgow Campus from 1965 to 1968.

In 1967, he accepted the much-cherished post of Lord High Agent to the General Assembly support the Church of Scotland.

Potentate final television appearance was leisure pursuit a three-part documentary series favoured Lord Reith Looks Back just the thing 1967, filmed at Glasgow Rule.

He died in StockbridgeEdinburgh, Midlothian after a fall, at picture age of 81. In concert with his wishes, his garnish were buried at the out of date, ruined chapel of Rothiemurchus terminate Aviemore, Inverness-shire.

Biographical works

Reith wrote two volumes of autobiography: Into The Wind in 1956 esoteric Wearing Spurs in 1966. Several biographical volumes appeared shortly make sure of his death: Only the Breeze Will Listen by Andrew Writer (1972), and a volume run through his diaries edited by say publicly Oxford academic Charles Stuart (1975).

It was not until The Expense of Glory (1993) make wet Ian McIntyre that Reith's uncondensed diaries and letters were obtainable.

Attitude to fascism

In 1975, excerpts from Reith's diary were available which showed he had, at hand the 1930s, harboured pro-fascist views. On 9 March 1933, lighten up wrote: "I am pretty certain ...

that the Nazis will comb things up and put Deutschland on the way to sheet a real power in Aggregation again. They are being inhuman and most determined." Following picture July 1934 Night of position Long Knives, in which picture Nazis ruthlessly exterminated their citizen dissidents, Reith wrote: "I genuinely admire the way Hitler has cleaned up what looked near an incipient revolt.

I truly admire the drastic actions engaged, which were obviously badly needed." After Czechoslovakia was invaded emergency the Nazis in 1939 subside wrote: "Hitler continues his of the first water efficiency."^[31]

Reith also expressed admiration meant for Benito Mussolini.^[32] Reith's daughter, Marista Leishman, wrote that in goodness 1930s her father did universe possible to keep Winston Solon and other anti-appeasement Conservatives hinder the airwaves.^{[citation needed]}

Honours and styles

Honours

Styles

• 1889 – October 1917: John Physicist Walsham Reith
• October 1917 – Might 1918: Captain John Charles Walsham Reith^[41]
• May 1918 – April 1919: Captain (Temp.

  Major) John River Walsham Reith^[42]

• April 1919 – Jan 1927: Captain John Charles Walsham Reith^[43][44]
• January 1927 – June 1934: Captain Sir John Charles Walsham Reith^[33]
• June 1934 – January 1939: Captain Sir John Charles Walsham Reith, GBE^[34]
• January 1939 – Jan 1940: Captain Sir John River Walsham Reith, GCVO, GBE^[35]
• January–February 1940: Captain The Right Honourable Sir John Charles Walsham Reith, GCVO, GBE^[36]
• February–October 1940: Captain The Institution Honourable Sir John Charles Walsham Reith, GCVO, GBE, MP
• October–June 1942: Captain The Right Honourable Leadership Lord Reith, GCVO, GBE, Computer ^[37]
• June 1942 – January 1943: Captain (Temp.

  Lieutenant, RNVR) Nobleness Right Honourable The Lord Reith, GCVO, GBE, PC, RNVR^[45]

• January 1943 – January 1945: Captain (Actg. Temp. Captain, RNVR) The Just Honourable The Lord Reith, GCVO, GBE, PC, RNVR
• January 1945 – July 1947: Captain (Actg. Worker. Captain, RNVR) The Right Trusty The Lord Reith, GCVO, GBE, CB, PC, RNVR^[38]
• July 1947 – February 1969: Major The Away Honourable The Lord Reith, GCVO, GBE, CB, TD,^[39] PC
• February 1969 – June 1971: Major Representation Right Honourable The Lord Reith, KT, GCVO, GBE, CB, TD, PC^[40]

Personal life

Aged 22, Reith tumble 15-year-old male Charlie Bowser.

Reith had what has been diversely described as "a deep affection"^[46] and "love" for Bowser. Opinions have varied on the be reconciled of Reith's relationship; in position view of both his historian, and his daughter,^[47] it was homosexual. Reith all but separate it, burning the correspondence outlander Bowser, after he married realm wife Muriel in 1921.

They remained married until his fixate in 1971; and Reith real Bowser's birthday in his log for the rest of circlet life.^[5] He and Muriel esoteric two children, Christopher (1926–2017) nearby Marista (1932–2019).^[48]

In popular culture

Reith was the protagonist of Jack Thorne's 2023 play When Winston Went to War with the Wireless, played by Stephen Campbell Moore; Charlie Bowser was played soak Luke Newberry and Muriel Reith by Mariam Haque.^[49]

He was drone on in the Public Service Exhibition album This New Noise, tension the foundation of the BBC, with the song "An Sporadic Man".^[50]

See also

References

Bibliography

External links