Peter Preston facts for kids

Peter John Preston (born May 23, 1938 – died January 6, 2018) was a well-known British journalist and writer. He was the editor of a major newspaper called The Guardian for twenty years, from 1975 to 1995.

Early Life and Education

Peter Preston was born in Barrow upon Soar, England. He grew up in a nearby village called Quorn.

When he was a child, Preston got polio, a serious illness. He spent a long time in the hospital, even using an iron lung to help him breathe. This illness caused lasting effects on his body. He went to Loughborough Grammar School and then studied at St John's College, Oxford. While at Oxford, he was the editor of the student newspaper, Cherwell.

Journalism Career Highlights

Preston began his journalism career in 1959 at the Liverpool Daily Post. In 1963, he joined The Guardian, which was then known as the Manchester Guardian.

Becoming Editor of The Guardian

He quickly moved up in the newspaper world. In 1975, he became the editor of The Guardian. He held this important role for more than twenty years, until he retired in 1995. As editor, he was in charge of all the news and stories the newspaper published.

Key Stories and Challenges

During his time as editor, Preston oversaw many important news stories. The Guardian reported on significant political issues, including investigations into certain MPs. One challenge he faced was when The Guardian had to give back some government documents that had been leaked. This led to a person being identified.

Later Contributions to Journalism

Even after retiring as editor, Preston continued to write. He wrote a weekly column for The Observer, another newspaper. His column often discussed news about newspapers and how they were changing.

He also helped start the European Press Prize. This award celebrates excellent journalism across Europe. Preston was the chairman of the committee for this prize for several years. He also had strong opinions on current events and shared them on social media. He was a member of the Scott Trust, which owns The Guardian, and led the International Press Institute for a time. Preston also wrote two novels, Bess (1999) and 51st State (1998).

Personal Life and Achievements

In 1962, Peter Preston married Jean Burrell. They had four children together. His son, Ben Preston, also became a successful journalist and editor.

Preston received special honorary degrees from several universities. These included City University, London, the University of Leicester, Loughborough University, University of Essex, and Roehampton University.

Peter Preston passed away on January 6, 2018, after battling melanoma, a type of cancer.