Garvin, J. L.

J. L. (James Louis) Garvin was born at Birkenhead on 12 April 1868. After a rudimentary education, he began work as a clerk in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. In 1891 he became a proof reader on the Newcastle Chronicle with the option of contributing to the newspaper for free. His reporting on Charles Stewart Parnell's (1846-1891) funeral launched Garvin's career. In 1899 he joined the Daily Telegraph as a leader and special writer. In 1908 he became editor and manager of the Observer a post he held until February 1942 when he had a falling out with the owner, Waldorf Astor. Garvin finished his career at the Daily Telegraph after an interim stint at the Sunday Express. Garvin was the editor of the 13th and 14th editions of the Encyclopaedia Britannica and well as a three-volume Life of Joseph Chamberlain (1932-1934). He died on 23 January 1947 at his home, Gregories, Beaconsfield.

2015-6-17

W. Laufs