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Harold Wilson

(1916-1995), Prime Minister

(James) Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx

Sitter in 55 portraits
Labour Prime Minister 1964-70 and 1974-6. Born in Huddersfield, Wilson studied at the University of Oxford, where he became an Economics lecturer. Elected to Parliament in 1945 at the age of 29, he served in Attlee's government and became Labour leader in 1963. At 48 Wilson became Britain's youngest Prime Minister since Pitt, winning four general elections, twice as Prime Minister. He led a series of cabinets through the 1960s and 70s which confirmed Britain's commitment to a welfare state. Wilson renegotiated terms of Britain's entry into the European Community, but struggled to address Britain's postwar economic decline, the pound being devalued during his time in office.


Explore the portrait of Harold Wilson by Geoffrey Davien (NPG D2731) from all angles

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Harold Wilson, by Yousuf Karsh - NPG P257

Harold Wilson

by Yousuf Karsh
bromide print, 1949
NPG P257

Harold Wilson, by Yousuf Karsh - NPG P490(87)

Harold Wilson

by Yousuf Karsh
bromide print, 1949
NPG P490(87)

Harold Wilson, by Barry Fantoni - NPG 6788

Harold Wilson

by Barry Fantoni
pencil and gouache, 1960s-1970s
NPG 6788

Harold Wilson, by Yousuf Karsh - NPG P258

Harold Wilson

by Yousuf Karsh
bromide print, 1963
NPG P258

'University of the Air', by John Musgrave-Wood ('Emmwood') - NPG 5358

'University of the Air'

by John Musgrave-Wood ('Emmwood')
pen and ink, Letratone and white heightening, 1963
NPG 5358

Harold Wilson, by Yousuf Karsh - NPG P490(88)

Harold Wilson

by Yousuf Karsh
bromide print, 1963
NPG P490(88)

Frost's Breakfast, by Gerald Scarfe - NPG 6434

Frost's Breakfast

by Gerald Scarfe
pen and indian ink, 1963
NPG 6434

(Alfred) Ernest Marples, 1st Baron Marples; Harold Wilson, by John Musgrave-Wood ('Emmwood') - NPG 5362

(Alfred) Ernest Marples, 1st Baron Marples; Harold Wilson

by John Musgrave-Wood ('Emmwood')
pen and ink, Letratone and white heightening, 1965
NPG 5362

'I wouldn't mind him playing the organ if only he knew how to play it', by (Arthur Stuart) Michael Cummings ('Cummings') - NPG 5364

'I wouldn't mind him playing the organ if only he knew how to play it'

by (Arthur Stuart) Michael Cummings ('Cummings')
pen and ink and wash, 1967
NPG 5364

Harold Wilson, by Ruskin Spear - NPG 5047

Harold Wilson

by Ruskin Spear
oil on canvas, exhibited 1974
NPG 5047

Harold Wilson, by Gerald Scarfe - NPG 6432

Harold Wilson

by Gerald Scarfe
pen and indian ink, 1976
NPG 6432

Harold Wilson, by Bern Schwartz - NPG P1268

Harold Wilson

by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 20 May 1976
NPG P1268

Harold Wilson, by Arnold Newman - NPG P150(38)

Harold Wilson

by Arnold Newman
colour dye transfer print, 1978
NPG P150(38)

Harold Wilson, by Victor Weisz - NPG 6635

Harold Wilson

by Victor Weisz
ink and crayon
NPG 6635

Harold Wilson, by Walter Stoneman - NPG x45597

Harold Wilson

by Walter Stoneman
bromide print, September 1945
NPG x45597

Harold Wilson; Aneurin Bevan; Jennie Lee, by Planet News - NPG x184222

Harold Wilson; Aneurin Bevan; Jennie Lee

by Planet News
bromide press print, 27 September 1954
NPG x184222

Harold Wilson, by Walter Bird - NPG x45598

Harold Wilson

by Walter Bird
bromide print on card mount, 25 May 1962
NPG x45598

Harold Wilson, by Unknown photographer, for  Central Office of Information - NPG x27447

Harold Wilson

by Unknown photographer, for Central Office of Information
bromide print, May 1962
NPG x27447

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