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William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook

(1879-1964), Statesman and newspaper proprietor

Sitter in 21 portraits
Born in Canada, Aitken formed the Canada Cement Company in 1909. In Britain he became a Conservative MP in 1910. He helped Lloyd George supersede Asquith in 1916, and became Minister of Information in 1918. He purchased the Daily Express in 1916, launched the Sunday Express in 1918, and acquired the Evening Standard in 1923. Aitken supported Edward VIII over the abdication and Neville Chamberlain over Munich. As a member of Churchill's Cabinet he was Minister of Aircraft Production in 1940, of Supply in 1941, and Lord Privy Seal (1943-5). In 1961 he and his newspapers opposed British entry into the Common Market.

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William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook, by Walter Sickert, based on a photograph by  Unknown photographer - NPG 5173

William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook

by Walter Sickert, based on a photograph by Unknown photographer
oil on canvas, 1935
On display in Room 19 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 5173

William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook, by Unknown photographer - NPG x678

William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook

by Unknown photographer
bromide print mounted on grey card, circa 1930
NPG x678

William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook, by Alexander ('Alick') Penrose Forbes Ritchie - NPG D2657

William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook

by Alexander ('Alick') Penrose Forbes Ritchie
colour relief halftone cigarette card, 1926
NPG D2657

William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook, after Graham Sutherland - NPG D31601

William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook

after Graham Sutherland
photographic collotype printed in colours, (1952)
NPG D31601

Web image not currently available

William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook

by Colin Vines
snapshot print, 25 May 1962
NPG x20498

Web image not currently available

William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook

by Colin Vines
bromide print, 1963
NPG x20693

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