William Denholm Barnetson, Baron Barnetson (born 21 March 1917, Edinburgh – 12 March 1981, Westminster, London) was a newspaper proprietor and television executive.[1]
During World War II he served as a Major in the Anti-Aircraft Command, a part of the army. After the war he was set the task of reorganising German newspaper and publishing industries in the British occupation zone of Germany. He was responsible for the launch of Die Welt choosing Axel Springer as its publisher.[1]
Career
Returning to Edinburgh from 1948-1961 he worked for the Edinburgh Evening News eventually becoming General Manager.
In 1962 he was recruited by Harley Drayton as director of United Newspapers becoming chairman in 1966. Within three years he had doubled the size of United acquiring of Yorkshire Post Newspapers and Punch magazine.[1]
He had directorships of several other organisations and was chairman of Reuters from 1968–79 during which time its turnover rose from £6m to £73m. From 1979 he was chairman of Thames Television.[2]
Personal life
He was the son of William Barnetson and Isabella "Ella" Grigor Moir. In July 1940 he married Joan Fairley Davidson, daughter of William Fairley Davidson and Agustina Bjarnarson.[3] They had a son and three daughters.
^ abcdEdward Pickering: Barnetson, William Denholm, Baron Barnetson (1917–1981) Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004, accessed 20 June 2012
^Matthew H.C.G., editor, Dictionary of National Biography on CD-ROM (Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press, 1995) cited at http://www.thepeerage.com/e9200.htm
^ ab"William Denholm Barnetson, Baron Barnetson". The Peerage. 19 August 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
william, denholm, barnetson, baron, barnetson, born, march, 1917, edinburgh, march, 1981, westminster, london, newspaper, proprietor, television, executive, right, honourablethe, lord, barnetsonborn21, march, 1917westminster, londondied12, march, 1981, 1981, a. William Denholm Barnetson Baron Barnetson born 21 March 1917 Edinburgh 12 March 1981 Westminster London was a newspaper proprietor and television executive 1 The Right HonourableThe Lord BarnetsonBornWilliam Denholm Barnetson21 March 1917Westminster LondonDied12 March 1981 1981 03 12 aged 63 Alma materRoyal High School EdinburghEdinburgh UniversityOccupation s newspaper proprietor television executiveSpouseJoan Fairley DavidsonChildren4 Contents 1 Early life and education 2 War service 3 Career 4 Personal life 5 ReferencesEarly life and education EditHe was educated at the Royal High School Edinburgh and Edinburgh University Whilst at university aged 19 he set himself up as a freelance reporter on the Spanish Civil War 1 Returning to university in 1940 he took his MA War service EditDuring World War II he served as a Major in the Anti Aircraft Command a part of the army After the war he was set the task of reorganising German newspaper and publishing industries in the British occupation zone of Germany He was responsible for the launch of Die Welt choosing Axel Springer as its publisher 1 Career EditReturning to Edinburgh from 1948 1961 he worked for the Edinburgh Evening News eventually becoming General Manager In 1962 he was recruited by Harley Drayton as director of United Newspapers becoming chairman in 1966 Within three years he had doubled the size of United acquiring of Yorkshire Post Newspapers and Punch magazine 1 He had directorships of several other organisations and was chairman of Reuters from 1968 79 during which time its turnover rose from 6m to 73m From 1979 he was chairman of Thames Television 2 Personal life EditHe was the son of William Barnetson and Isabella Ella Grigor Moir In July 1940 he married Joan Fairley Davidson daughter of William Fairley Davidson and Agustina Bjarnarson 3 They had a son and three daughters Barnetson was knighted in 1972 4 and created a life peer on 14 July 1975 as Baron Barnetson of Crowborough in the County of East Sussex 5 3 References Edit a b c d Edward Pickering Barnetson William Denholm Baron Barnetson 1917 1981 Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Oxford University Press 2004 accessed 20 June 2012 Matthew H C G editor Dictionary of National Biography on CD ROM Oxford U K Oxford University Press 1995 cited at http www thepeerage com e9200 htm a b William Denholm Barnetson Baron Barnetson The Peerage 19 August 2011 Retrieved 21 June 2012 No 45595 The London Gazette 10 February 1972 p 1686 No 46634 The London Gazette 17 July 1975 p 9083 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title William Denholm Barnetson amp oldid 1115760705, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
