John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
(1889-1971), Administrator; first Director-General of the BBCSitter in 42 portraits
Founding director general of the BBC from 1922 to 1938. His book, Broadcast over Britain (1924) outlined four principles of his vision for a broadcasting system: it operated as a public service rather than for commercial motives; it offered national coverage; it depended on centralised control; and it offered high standards of programming. He also insisted on BBC operational independence from political pressures. Under Reith's leadership, the BBC established its headquarters at Broadcasting House in 1932. Until his departure in 1938, Reith steadily broadened the range of its activities. Subsequently he headed British Overseas Airways Corporation and held a number of minor cabinet posts in wartime and post-war governments.
John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1934
NPG x46081
John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1934
NPG x46083
John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
by Howard Coster
10 x 8 inch film negative, 1934
NPG x46091
John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
by Howard Coster
10 x 8 inch film negative, 1934
NPG x46092
John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
by Howard Coster
10 x 8 inch film negative, 1934
NPG x46093
John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
by Howard Coster
10 x 8 inch film negative, 1934
NPG x46094
John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
by Howard Coster
10 x 8 inch film negative, 1934
NPG x46095
John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1938
NPG x46072
John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1938
NPG x46077
John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1938
NPG x46082
John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1938
NPG x46084
John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1938
NPG x46085
John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1938
NPG x46086
John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1938
NPG x46087
John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1938
NPG x46088
John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1938
NPG x46089
John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1938
NPG x46090
John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
by Walter Stoneman
negative, July 1941
NPG x508
John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
by Walter Stoneman
bromide print, 14 November 1946
NPG x159868
John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
by Walter Stoneman
half-plate glass negative, 14 November 1946
NPG x188373
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