John Reith

Entrepreneur

Birthday July 20, 1889

Birth Sign Cancer

Birthplace Scotland

DEATH DATE Jul 16, 1971 (81)

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About

Scottish radio executive who established public service broadcasting. He was the the Director-General of the British Broadcasting Corporation from 1927 to 1938.

Before Fame

He served in the Scottish army during World War I and later answered an ad in The Morning Post for a General Manager position at the BBC, which had not yet launched.

Trivia

He was given many honors, including his appointment to the Order of the British Empire in 1938 and being named Baron Reith of Stonehaven in 1940.

Family Life

He was deeply religious, and his brother was a vicar in the Church of England.

Associated With

He was appointed Minister of Information under Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain.