Figure 1.--Here 8-year old Harold Wilsonstands in front of No. 10 Downing Street. His father took the snapshot in 1924. Wilson was an economist, but with his Socialist beliefs, the British economy languished during his term of office.

Harold Wilson was born in Huddersfield during World War I (1916). His father was an industrial chemist. He was educated at Oxford University where he was strongly influenced by his history tutor, G. D. H. Cole. He worked as a research assistant under William Beveridge at the London School of Economics before becoming a lecturer in economics at Oxford. During World War II he served as director of economics and statistics at the Ministry of Fuel and Power. He began his parlimentary career as a MP elected in the stunning parlimentary victory following VE Day that retired Primeminister Churchill and brought Clemet Atlee and the Labour Party to power (1945). He emerged as the leading figure on the left-wing of the Labour Party and was elected prime-minister with a razor-thin majority (1964). He promised to modernize Britain, but his view of modernization was social welfare and value issues (abortion, divorce, homosexulality). He was one of a series of Labour politicans which offered the British public more thn the economy could sustain, especially as their econmic policies did not promote the growth of the private sector. His socialist economic policies rather than stimulating economic growth, retarded it and by the time he resigned (1976), British income levels and industry had fallen further behind that of Continental rivals, especially Germany. Thus not only were British workers earning less than workers on the Continent, but the country was in a less favorable economic state to support the constantly expanding welfare state.

Parents

Harold Wilson's father was an industrial chemist.

Childhood

Harold was born in Huddersfield during World War I (1916). He was the only son, but had an older sister. He was married to Gladys Mary Baldwin with two children.

Education

He was educated at Royds Hall Secondary School Huddersfield and the Wirral Grammar School Bebington. He was admitted to Jesus College Oxford where he was strongly influenced by his history tutor, G. D. H. Cole.

Academic Career

He worked as a research assistant under William Beveridge at the London School of Economics before becoming a lecturer in economics at Oxford.

World War II

During World War II he served as director of economics and statistics at the Ministry of Fuel and Power.

Family

He married Gladys Mary Baldwin and they had two children.

Political Career

He began his parlimentary career as a MP elected in the stunning parlimentary victory following VE Day that retired Primeminister Churchill and brought Clemet Atlee and the Labour Party to power (1945). He emerged as the leading figure on the left-wing of the Labour Party.

Primeminister

Wilson was elected prime-minister with a razor-thin majority (1964). He would win four General Elections as Labour leader. He promised to modernize Britain, but his view of modernization was social welfare and value issues (abortion, divorce, homosexulality). He was one of a series of Labour politicans which offered the British public more than the economy could sustain, especially as their econmic policies did not promote the growth of the private sector. He is often described as one of the more intellectual politicians of the 20th century. Being an intelectual and being right about economics and other matters are two different matters. His socialist economic policies rather than stimulating economic growth, retarded it and by the time he resigned (1976), British income levels and industry had fallen further behind that of Continental rivals, especially Germany. Thus not only were British workers earning less than workers on the Continent, but the country was in a less favorable economic state to support the constantly expanding welfare state.

Created: 3:30 AM 12/26/2010
Last updates: 4:26 AM 12/26/2010