William Berry, 1st Viscount Camrose facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Viscount Camrose
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William Ewart Berry
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| Born |
William Ewart Berry
23 June 1879 |
| Died | 15 June 1954 (aged 74) |
| Nationality | Welsh |
| Occupation | Publisher |
| Known for | Advertising World The War Illustrated Western Mail Allied Newspapers |
| Title | 1st Viscount Camrose |
| Spouse(s) |
Mary Agnes Corns
(m. 1905) |
| Children | 8, including Seymour Berry, 2nd Viscount Camrose and Michael Berry, Baron Hartwell |
| Parent(s) | Mary Ann (Rowe) and John Mathias Berry |
| Relatives | brothers: Seymour Berry, 1st Baron Buckland, and Gomer Berry, 1st Viscount Kemsley |
William Ewart Berry, also known as the 1st Viscount Camrose, was an important Welsh newspaper publisher. He was born on June 23, 1879, and passed away on June 15, 1954. He became very successful in the world of publishing.
Contents
Life as a Newspaper Publisher
William Berry was born in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. He was the second of three sons. He started his career as a journalist.
Starting His Own Papers
In 1901, William Berry launched his very own newspaper called Advertising World. He became quite wealthy from publishing a magazine during World War I. This magazine was called The War Illustrated. At its most popular, it sold 750,000 copies!
Buying Major Newspapers
William worked with his younger brother, Gomer Berry, 1st Viscount Kemsley. Together, they bought The Sunday Times in 1915. William was its main editor until 1937. In 1919, they also bought the Financial Times.
In 1924, the Berry brothers and Sir Edward Iliffe created a company called Allied Newspapers. They bought many newspapers across the country. These included the Daily Dispatch and the Manchester Evening Chronicle. In Cardiff, they combined four newspapers into one, called the Western Mail.
In 1927, they bought The Daily Telegraph. William Berry became its main editor. Later, in 1937, they bought its rival newspaper, The Morning Post.
Expanding Their Business
In 1926, the Berry brothers' company, Allied Newspapers, bought Amalgamated Press (AP). This company had been started by Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe in 1901.
In 1937, William Berry bought out his partners. He combined The Morning Post with The Daily Telegraph. He became the chairman and main editor of the new combined newspaper. His sons, Seymour and later Michael, continued to run the newspaper until 1986.
Helping Winston Churchill
After World War II, William Berry helped Winston Churchill financially. He and ten other wealthy people each gave £5,000 to the Churchills. This money allowed them to keep their home, Chartwell. The condition was that the home would be given to the nation after their deaths.
Awards and Titles
William Berry received several important honors.
- In 1921, he was made a baronet. This is a special title given by the King or Queen.
- In 1929, he was given the title Baron Camrose.
- In 1941, he was given an even higher title, Viscount Camrose.
William Berry's Family
William Berry married Mary Agnes Corns in 1905. They had eight children together:
- Mary Cecilia Berry (1906 – 1996)
- (John) Seymour Berry, 2nd Viscount Camrose (1909 – 1995)
- (William) Michael Berry, Baron Hartwell, 3rd Viscount Camrose (1911 – 2001)
- Sheila Berry (1913–1992)
- Molly Patricia Berry (1915 – 1995)
- Rodney Mathias Berry (1917 – 1963)
- Julian Berry (1920 – 1988)
- Diana Phyllis Berry (1924 – 1995)
William Berry passed away in 1954. His eldest son, Seymour, took over his titles. William Berry's great-grandson is the actor Joshua Sasse.
