William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook

Born:

May 25, 1879, Maple, Ontario, Canada

Died:

June 9, 1964, Cherkley, Surrey, England

Nationality:

Canadian-British

Profession(s):

Newspaper Publisher, Politician, Author, Businessman

Early Life and Education

• Born William Maxwell Aitken in Maple, Ontario.
• Family moved to Newcastle, New Brunswick in 1880.
• Attended Harkins Academy in Newcastle.
• Left school at age 16 to work.

Career and Major Achievements

• Started in business by selling insurance.
• Became a prominent financier and stockbroker in Montreal.
• Moved to Britain in 1910 and became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashton-under-Lyne.
• Served as Minister of Information during World War I.
• Appointed Minister of Aircraft Production by Winston Churchill during World War II, playing a crucial role in boosting aircraft production.
• Became a major newspaper proprietor, controlling the Daily Express, the Sunday Express, and the Evening Standard.
• Elevated to the peerage as Baron Beaverbrook in 1917.

Notable Works

• Books:
  • Canada in Flanders (6 volumes, 1916-1918)
  • Politicians and the War (2 volumes, 1928, 1932)
  • Men and Power, 1917-1918 (1956)
  • The Decline and Fall of Lloyd George (1963)

Legacy and Impact

William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook, was a complex and influential figure. He left a significant mark on British politics and journalism. The analysis presented in the Vivien Creeger biography of William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook, details these aspects of his life. His impact on aircraft production during WWII was pivotal, and his newspapers significantly shaped public opinion for decades. He was also a notable philanthropist, particularly in his native New Brunswick.

Table of Government Positions

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