Paul Hamlyn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Hamlyn
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| Born |
Paul Bertrand Wolfgang Hamburger
12 February 1926 Berlin, Germany
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| Died | 31 August 2001 (age 75) |
| Occupation | Publisher |
| Title | Baron Hamlyn |
| Spouse(s) | Eileen Watson (dissolved 1969) Helen Guest (1970–his death) |
| Children | Michael, Jane |
Paul Hamlyn, Baron Hamlyn (born 12 February 1926, died 31 August 2001) was a famous publisher and a generous giver. He was born in Germany but became British. He started the Paul Hamlyn Foundation in 1987 to help many good causes.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Paul Hamlyn was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1926. His birth name was Paul Bertrand Wolfgang Hamburger. His father, Richard, was a children's doctor. His mother, Lili, was a Quaker.
When the Nazi party came to power in Germany, Paul's family, who were Jewish, had to leave. They moved to London, England. Paul went to school at St Christopher School in Letchworth.
Paul's father passed away in 1940 when Paul was 14. Soon after, Paul changed his last name to Hamlyn. He chose it from a phone book!
Starting a Publishing Career
Paul Hamlyn began his work in publishing in 1949. He started by selling books from a wheelbarrow in London. He had a big idea: to make books that were colorful and exciting. These books would appeal to people who didn't usually buy books.
In 1961, he published a very popular cookbook called Everyday Cook Book in Colour. This book sold over a million copies by 1969. Paul used color in his books when it was still very new and expensive. He found printers in places like Czechoslovakia to help him. He also sold his books in new places, like supermarkets and hardware stores. This was a big change for the book world.
Paul also helped create Music for Pleasure records in 1965. He turned companies like Paul Hamlyn Group and Octopus Publishing Group into major publishing houses in the UK.
Awards and Recognition
Paul Hamlyn received many honors for his work. In 1993, he became the first Chancellor of the University of West London. He also received a medal from the Royal Society of Arts.
He was given the title of CBE in 1993. Then, in 1998, he became a British Life Peer. This meant he was given the special title of Baron Hamlyn.
Helping Others: Philanthropy
Paul Hamlyn was a very generous person. He started the Paul Hamlyn Foundation in 1987. This foundation helps many different groups and projects. It is now one of the largest organizations in the UK that gives grants to charities.
The foundation also gives "Awards for Artists." These awards help artists keep creating their work, even if they face money problems.
In 2000, a library at the British Museum Reading Room was named the Paul Hamlyn Library. This was because his foundation helped fund it. Later, in 2007, the Royal Opera House renamed its Floral Hall atrium the Paul Hamlyn Hall. This was after his foundation gave £10 million to support their education programs.
Personal Life
Paul Hamlyn was married twice. He had two children, Michael and Jane, with his first wife, Eileen Watson. He later married Helen Guest in 1970. Helen Hamlyn is also a designer and helps many charities.
Paul's brother, Michael Hamburger, was a well-known poet and translator.
Death
Paul Hamlyn passed away on August 31, 2001, at the age of 75.
See also
- André Deutsch
- Ernest Hecht
- George Weidenfeld
