Hugh Stephenson (journalist)

Hugh Arthur Stephenson (born 18 July 1938^[1]) is a British journalist. He was the business editor of The Times from 1969 to 1981, and the editor of the New Statesman from 1982 to 1986.

Early life

Stephenson was born in Faizabad, Bengal district of British India, the son of Sir Hugh Stephenson (1906–1972), a diplomat who worked for the Indian Civil Service.^[2] The family returned to England in 1947, and his father joined the Foreign Office.^[2]

Hugh Stephenson was educated at Winchester College, where he became head boy.^[3] He attended New College, Oxford, and served as President of the Oxford Union in 1962.^[3]

Career

Stephenson initially worked for the diplomatic service. He was the business editor for The Times between 1969 and 1981.^[3]

Stephenson interviewed Sir James Goldsmith for the BBC Money Programme in 1977. For Patrick Hutber of The Sunday Telegraph, it was "as memorable a piece of television as is ever likely to be shown".^[4]

Stephenson was editor of the New Statesman from 1982 to 1986.^[5] He subsequently held a post as professor of journalism at City University in London, from 1986 until his retirement in 2003.^[6] Stephenson served as crossword editor at The Guardian for 27 years, retiring on 17 February 2024.^{[7] [8]}

References

1. "Hugh Stephenson". Gale Literature: Contemporary Authors. Gale. 2004. Gale H1000153657.
2. "Jonathan Stephenson: Trade unionist and chairman of the SDLP". The Independent. 19 January 2012.
3. Walker, Martin (1 May 1982). "The Newest Statesman". The Guardian.
4. Hutber, Patrick (13 November 1977). "How Goldsmith wiped the floor with them". The Sunday Telegraph.
5. Stephenson, Hugh (19 September 1992). "The middle-aged man and the sea". The Guardian.
6. Byrne, Ciar (31 March 2003). "Greenslade takes professorship at City University". The Guardian.
7. "Professor Hugh Stephenson, crossword editor, the Guardian". The Guardian. 2 February 2012.
8. "The Guardian". Journal section. p. 12.