Arthur Ernest Watson (29 February 1880 – 18 September 1969) was a British
newspaper editor
An editor-in-chief (EIC), also known as lead editor or chief editor, is a publication's editorial leader who has final responsibility for its operations and policies. The editor-in-chief heads all departments of the organization and is held account ...
, known for editing ''
The Daily Telegraph
''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a British daily broadsheet conservative newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed in the United Kingdom and internationally. It was found ...
'' from 1924 to 1950.
Biography
Watson was born in
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne, or simply Newcastle ( , Received Pronunciation, RP: ), is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England. It is England's northernmost metropolitan borough, located o ...
on 29 February 1880, the second son of Aaron Watson, author and journalist, and his wife, Phebe. He attended
Alleyn's School
Alleyn's School is a 4–18 Mixed-sex education, co-educational, independent, day school and sixth form in Dulwich, London, England. It is a registered charity and was originally part of Edward Alleyn's College of God's Gift charitable foundatio ...
in
Dulwich
Dulwich (; ) is an area in south London, England. The settlement is mostly in the London Borough of Southwark, with parts in the London Borough of Lambeth, and consists of Dulwich Village, East Dulwich, West Dulwich, and the Southwark half of H ...
,
Rutherford College of Technology in Newcastle, and Armstrong College of the
University of Durham
Durham University (legally the University of Durham) is a collegiate public research university in Durham, England, founded by an Act of Parliament in 1832 and incorporated by royal charter in 1837. It was the first recognised university to ...
, before entering journalism. After a spell with the ''
Newcastle Daily Leader'', he joined ''
The Daily Telegraph
''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a British daily broadsheet conservative newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed in the United Kingdom and internationally. It was found ...
'' in 1902. He was with the newspaper for the remainder of his career, although he served during
World War I
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
as an acting Major in the
Royal Field Artillery
The Royal Field Artillery (RFA) of the British Army provided close artillery support for the infantry. It was created as a distinct arm of the Royal Regiment of Artillery on 1 July 1899, serving alongside the other two arms of the regiment, the ...
. He became the ''Telegraphs Assistant Editor in 1923, and was appointed Editor the following year, serving until 1950. He was also active in the
Institute of Journalists
The Chartered Institute of Journalists is a professional association for journalists and is the senior such body in the UK and the oldest in the world.
History
The ''Chartered Institute of Journalists'' was proposed during a meeting in Manchest ...
, and in retirement was the President of the
Mitcham and Morden Conservative
Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy and ideology that seeks to promote and preserve traditional institutions, customs, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civiliza ...
Association.
[WATSON, Arthur E.]
, ''Who Was Who
''Who's Who'' is a reference work. It has been published annually in the form of a hardback book since 1849, and has been published online since 1999. It has also been published on CD-ROM. It lists, and gives information on, people from around ...
''
References
1880 births
1969 deaths
People educated at Alleyn's School
Alumni of Northumbria University
British Army personnel of World War I
British newspaper editors
Writers from Newcastle upon Tyne
Royal Field Artillery officers
The Daily Telegraph people
Alumni of Armstrong College, Durham
20th-century English businesspeople
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