Philip Noel-Baker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Noel-Baker
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| Minister of Fuel and Power | |
| In office 15 February 1950 – 31 October 1951 |
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| Preceded by | Hugh Gaitskell |
| Succeeded by | Office Abolished |
| Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations | |
| In office 7 October 1947 – 28 February 1950 |
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| Preceded by | The Viscount Addison |
| Succeeded by | Patrick Gordon Walker |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Philip John Baker
1 November 1889 Brondesbury Park, London |
| Died | 8 October 1982 (aged 92) Westminster |
| Alma mater | Haverford College King's College, Cambridge |
| Awards | Nobel Peace Prize |
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| Athletics | ||
| Olympic Games | ||
Representing  Great Britain |
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| Silver | 1920 Antwerp | 1500 m |
Philip John Noel-Baker, Baron Noel-Baker (born Philip John Baker; 1 November 1889 – 8 October 1982) was a very special British person. He was a politician, a diplomat, a university teacher, and even an athlete! He is most famous for working hard to achieve disarmament, which means reducing or getting rid of weapons.
Philip Noel-Baker has a unique record: he is the only person ever to win an Olympic medal and also receive a Nobel Peace Prize. He won a silver medal in the 1500-meter race at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp. Later, in 1959, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to promote peace. He was a member of the Labour Party in the British Parliament from 1929 to 1931 and again from 1936 to 1970. During this time, he held important jobs in the government. In 1977, he was given a special title for life, becoming a "life peer."
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Philip Noel-Baker's Early Life and Sports
Philip John Baker was born in Brondesbury Park, London. He was one of seven children. His father, Joseph Allen Baker, was a Quaker from Canada who moved to England to start a business. His mother, Elizabeth Balmer Moscrip, was from Scotland. Philip's father was also involved in politics, serving on the London County Council and later as a Member of Parliament.
Philip went to schools called Ackworth School and Bootham School. He then studied in the United States at Haverford College, which was linked to the Quakers. From 1908 to 1912, he attended King's College, Cambridge, in England. He was a very good student, studying history and economics. He was also a leader in student groups, becoming president of the Cambridge Union Society and the Cambridge University Athletic Club.
He was a talented middle-distance runner and competed in the Olympic Games both before and after World War I. At the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, he ran in the 800 meters and 1500 meters races. He made it to the final of the 1500 meters. At the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Philip was the captain of the British track team and carried their flag. He won a silver medal in the 1500 meters race. He was also captain of the team at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, but he did not compete in any races that year.
Before his political career, Philip worked as a university teacher. In 1914, he became a leader at Ruskin College, Oxford. In 1915, he was chosen as a fellow at King's College, Cambridge. During World War I, he helped organize and lead ambulance units. He was a conscientious objector, meaning he refused to fight in the war because of his beliefs. Instead, he helped wounded soldiers. For his brave work, he received special awards from the UK, France, and Italy.
Philip Noel-Baker's Political Journey
After World War I, Philip Noel-Baker played a big part in setting up the League of Nations. This was an organization created to help countries work together and prevent future wars. He worked closely with important leaders of the League. He also taught about international relations at the University of London and Yale University.
His political career with the Labour Party began in 1924. He tried to become a Member of Parliament (MP) for Birmingham Handsworth but didn't win. In 1929, he was elected as the MP for Coventry. He worked as a special assistant to the Foreign Secretary, Arthur Henderson.
Philip lost his MP seat in 1931 but continued to help Arthur Henderson, who was leading a big meeting about disarmament in Geneva. He ran for Parliament again in 1935 and won the election for Derby in 1936. When that area was divided in 1950, he became the MP for Derby South.
During World War II, Philip Noel-Baker worked in the government, helping with war transport. After the war, when the Labour Party won the election in 1945, he became a Minister for Foreign Affairs. He later became the Secretary of State for Air in 1946 and then the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations in 1947, joining the main group of government ministers (the Cabinet).
Philip was the minister in charge of organizing the 1948 Summer Olympics in London. In 1950, he moved to lead the Ministry of Fuel and Power. In the mid-1940s, he was part of the British team that helped create the United Nations. This organization, like the League of Nations before it, aims to promote peace and cooperation worldwide. He helped write the rules for how the United Nations would work.
Philip Noel-Baker was a strong supporter of multilateral disarmament. This means that many countries should work together to reduce their weapons. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1959 for his dedication to this cause. In 1979, he helped start the World Disarmament Campaign and continued to work for peace until he passed away.
He stepped down as an MP in 1970. In 1977, he was given the special title of Baron Noel-Baker, which meant he became a "life peer" in the British Parliament. This is a special honor given for life. He also led the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education for many years.
Philip Noel-Baker's Family Life
In June 1915, Philip Baker married Irene Noel, who was a nurse. In 1921, he officially changed his name to Noel-Baker, adding his wife's last name. Their only son, Francis Noel-Baker, also became a Labour MP, and they even served in Parliament together.
Philip Noel-Baker passed away in Westminster when he was 92 years old. He was buried next to his wife in Heyshott, West Sussex.
See also
In Spanish: Philip J. Noel-Baker para niños
