Donald Tyerman (1 March 1908 – 4 April 1981) was an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

journalist and editor.

Early life

Tyerman was born in

Middlesbrough Middlesbrough ( ) is a town on the southern bank of the River Tees in North Yorkshire, England. It is near the North York Moors national park. It is the namesake and main town of its local borough council area. Until the early 1800s, the a ...

, England. He contracted

polio Poliomyelitis, commonly shortened to polio, is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. Approximately 70% of cases are asymptomatic; mild symptoms which can occur include sore throat and fever; in a proportion of cases more severe s ...

at the age of three and was paralysed from the neck down, although over the next ten years he did eventually get back full use of the whole of his body except his legs - he needed splints to walk for the rest of his life. He was educated at Great Ayton Friends' School and

Gateshead Grammar School Gateshead Grammar School was a school in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England, that operated from 1883 to 1967. History The private school Gateshead High School For Boys opened in 1883 at the junction of Durham Road and Prince Consort Road. It w ...

and Brasenose College, Oxford and from 1930 to 1936 lectured in history at University College, Southampton.

Career

In 1936 he became a journalist with ''

The Economist ''The Economist'' is a British weekly newspaper printed in demitab format and published digitally. It focuses on current affairs, international business, politics, technology, and culture. Based in London, the newspaper is owned by The Eco ...

'' and soon became extremely influential, serving as deputy editor from 1939 to 1944. From 1944 to 1956 he was assistant editor of ''

The Times ''The Times'' is a British daily national newspaper based in London. It began in 1785 under the title ''The Daily Universal Register'', adopting its current name on 1 January 1788. ''The Times'' and its sister paper '' The Sunday Times'' (f ...

'', and then returned to ''The Economist'' as editor. He served in this post until 1965. He was appointed a

Commander of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established ...

(CBE) in 1978.

References

*'' Dictionary of National Biography'' 1908 births 1981 deaths Academics of the University of Southampton Alumni of Brasenose College, Oxford Commanders of the Order of the British Empire English male journalists English newspaper editors English magazine editors People from Middlesbrough People with polio The Economist editors The Times people {{UK-journalist-stub