William Berry, 1st Viscount Camrose
Sir William Ewart Berry (23 June 1879 – 15 June 1954), the second of three brothers born in Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, started his working life as a journalist, became editor-in-chief of The Daily Telegraph in 1928, and as a newspaper publisher founded a long-running press dynasty.
William Berry made his fortune with the publication of the World War I magazine The War Illustrated, which at its peak had a circulation of 750,000.
He was originally in partnership with his brother Gomer and 1st Baron Iliffe. William Ewart Berry with his younger brother, founder of "Kemsley Newspapers"), and Baron Iliffe, purchased The Daily Telegraph in 1928 from the 2nd Baron Burnham.
Sir William was created the 1st Baron Camrose in 1929 and the 1st Viscount Camrose in 1939. He bought out his partners in 1937 and amalgamated The Morning Post with The Daily Telegraph, with himself as Chairman and Editor-in-Chief. His sons Seymour, the 2nd Viscount and subsequently Michael continued to run the newspaper until 1986.
William Berry provided financial assistance to Sir Winston Churchill after the Second World War. He and another 10 wealthy well-wishers each donated £5000 to the Churchills, allowing them to keep their home, Chartwell, on the condition that it would be presented to the nation upon their deaths.
| Peerage of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by New Creation |
Viscount Camrose 1929–1954 |
Succeeded by Seymour Berry, 2nd Viscount Camrose |
- Cowling, Maurice, The Impact of Hitler - British Policies and Policy 1933-1940, Cambridge University Press, 1975, p.403-4, ISBN 0-521-20582-4
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