William Donald Hamilton McCullough (15 August 1901 – 19 January 1978) was an Irish born

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...

writer and broadcaster. He was the first question-master of

The Brains Trust ''The Brains Trust'' was an informational BBC radio and later television programme popular in the United Kingdom in the 1940s and 1950s, on which a panel of experts tried to answer questions sent in by the audience. History The series was crea ...

radio programme from its foundation in 1941.

Career as a writer

McCullough first came to public notice in 1934 with ''Aces Made Easy – or Pons asinorum in a nutshell'', which he wrote with illustrations by Fougasse. This was a humorous look at the game of

contract bridge Contract bridge, or simply bridge, is a trick-taking game, trick-taking card game using a standard 52-card deck. In its basic format, it is played by four players in two Team game, competing partnerships, with partners sitting opposite each othe ...

, which was then very fashionable in England. He followed this the following year with ''You Have Been Warned – A Complete Guide to the Road'' an equally humorous book with the same illustrator. This was written at a time when the introduction could say “According to statistics, there is in Great Britain one car to every 33 persons ...”, so somewhat dated now. After the war, McCullough and Fougasse again collaborated on light-hearted pamphlets, but with the serious intent of promoting road safety, ''Fancy Meeting You'' and ''Many Happy Returns – and How to Enjoy them''

The Brains Trust

The official name of ''

'' was initially ''Any Questions?''. McCullough was the first chairman, or “question-master” as the role came to be called. He used the name The Brains Trust from the start of the show in January 1941, and this became its official name in September 1942. The role of question-master was later alternated with others, but McCullough remained a regular until the radio version closed in May 1949.

Film actor

McCullough took a small role in the Flanagan and Allen film ''Dreaming'' in 1945.

Later life

McCullough died in Kings Lynn, Norfolk on Jan 19, 1978

Works

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References

External links

*http://www.oxforddnb.com/public/themes/57/57624.html DNB entry on “Brains trust” * 1901 births 1978 deaths British radio personalities British writers {{UK-radio-bio-stub