Leslie Haden-Guest, 1st Baron Haden-Guest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Haden-Guest
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| Member of Parliament for Islington North |
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| In office 13 October 1937 – 3 February 1950 |
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| Preceded by | Albert Goodman |
| Succeeded by | Moelwyn Hughes |
| Member of Parliament for Southwark North |
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| In office 6 December 1923 – 1927 |
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| Preceded by | Edward Strauss |
| Succeeded by | Edward Strauss |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 March 1877 Oldham, Lancashire, England |
| Died | 20 August 1960 (aged 83) |
| Political party | Labour |
| Alma mater | Owens College, Manchester |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  British Empire |
| Branch/service | British Army |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | Royal Army Medical Corps |
| Battles/wars | Second Boer War World War I World War II |
Leslie Haden-Guest (born March 10, 1877 – died August 20, 1960) was a British writer, journalist, and doctor. He was also a Labour Party politician. He was known as the 1st Baron Haden-Guest and received the Military Cross award for his bravery.
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Early Life and Education
Leslie Haden-Guest was born in Oldham, a town in Lancashire, England. His father, Alexander Haden-Guest, was a doctor and surgeon who supported left-wing ideas. Leslie first went to William Hulme's Grammar School. Later, he studied medicine at Owens College, Manchester and the London Hospital.
A Career in Service and Politics
Haden-Guest served as a doctor in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He was involved in three major conflicts: the Second Boer War, World War I, and World War II. For his service, he was given the Military Cross. He also helped start the Anglo-French Committee of the Red Cross. This committee worked to improve relations between France and the United Kingdom.
From 1919 to 1922, he was a member of the London County Council. This council helped manage the city of London.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
Haden-Guest became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Southwark North in 1923. An MP is a person elected to represent a group of people in the British Parliament. He stayed in this role until 1927. He resigned because he disagreed with his party's decision not to send troops to Shanghai.
In 1931, he tried to become an MP for Wycombe but did not win. However, he was elected as an MP for Islington North in 1937. He continued to serve as an MP for this area until 1950.
Haden-Guest also founded the Labour Party Commonwealth Group. He was part of the Anderson Committee. This group helped create the government's plan to move children and others to safety during World War II. This plan was called the Evacuation Scheme.
During World War II, Haden-Guest suggested that all schoolchildren should receive free meals and milk. He believed this should happen no matter how much money their parents earned. He felt that treating children differently based on their family's income would be harmful.
Becoming a Baron
On February 2, 1950, Leslie Haden-Guest was given the title of Baron Haden-Guest. This made him a peer, which is a high rank in the British system. His full title became Baron Haden-Guest, of Saling in the County of Essex.
After this, he served as a Lord-in-waiting to the King from February to October 1951. A Lord-in-waiting helps the King with official duties. Later, he became an Assistant Opposition Whip in the House of Lords. The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK Parliament.
Personal Life
Leslie Haden-Guest was married three times. In 1898, he married Edith Low. They had two sons, Stephen and Richard, before divorcing in 1909. In 1910, he married Muriel Carmel Goldsmid. With Muriel, he had two more sons, David and Peter, and a daughter named Angela. Sadly, his son David was killed during the Spanish Civil War.
His third marriage was in 1944 to Edith Edgar MacQueen. She was the first woman to earn a Ph.D. from the University of St Andrews.
Leslie Haden-Guest was the grandfather of Christopher Guest. Christopher is a well-known actor, writer, director, and musician. He is now the 5th Baron Haden-Guest. Leslie was also the grandfather of writer Anthony Haden-Guest.
He was the first Jewish person to run for Parliament as a Labour candidate.
