Charles Vere Wintour British newspaper editor Date of Birth: 18.05.1917 Country: Great Britain

1. Early Life and Education
2. Military Service and Career Beginnings
3. Editing the "Evening Standard" and "Daily Express"
4. Later Career and Legacy
5. Media Consultancies and Later Life

Sir Charles Wintour: British Newspaper Editor and Father of Anna Wintour

Early Life and Education

Charles Wintour was born on May 18, 1917, to Major General Fitzgerald Wintour. He developed an early passion for journalism and began writing for the weekly magazine "Radio Times" and the newspaper "Daily Mail" during his time at Oundle School. He continued his education at Peterhouse, University of Cambridge, where he studied English and history. While there, he became editor of the literary magazine "Granta," alongside future historian Eric Hobsbawm, and graduated with honors in 1939.

Military Service and Career Beginnings

After graduating, Wintour worked in advertising briefly before the outbreak of World War II. He enlisted in the army and served in the Royal Norfolk Regiment, earning the Military Cross, Bronze Star, and Order of the British Empire during the conflict. Following the war, he joined the "Evening Standard" as a feature writer, rising to political editor before moving to the "Sunday Express" as assistant editor. He returned to the "Evening Standard" as deputy editor and persuaded Lord Beaverbrook to establish the "Evening Standard" Theatre Awards.

Editing the "Evening Standard" and "Daily Express"

In 1958, Wintour became managing editor of the "Daily Express," but returned to the "Standard" as editor the following year. During his tenure, he introduced the gossip column "Londoner's Diary" and hired controversial columnists such as Michael Foot and Randolph Churchill. While circulation declined slightly under his leadership, Wintour remained highly regarded and was considered a potential candidate to edit "The Times" in 1967.

Later Career and Legacy

Wintour continued as editor of the "Evening Standard" until 1976, when he became managing director of the "Daily Express." He oversaw the paper's transition from a broadsheet to a tabloid format. In 1978, he was reappointed editor of the "Standard." In 1979, he became a member of the Press Council. In 1980, the "Standard" and "Evening News" merged, with Wintour replaced as editor by Louis Kirby.

Media Consultancies and Later Life

Wintour founded "Sunday Express Magazine" in 1981 and "Working Woman" magazine in 1984 with his second wife, Audrey Slaughter. In 1985, he became editor of "Press Gazette" and served as a consultant for newspapers such as "Today," "The Independent," and the new "Daily News." Wintour retired in 1989 and spent his later years supporting the Liberal Democrats and chairing the regional branch of the National Art Collections Fund. He passed away on November 4, 1999, at the age of 82.