Arthur Newell

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Arthur Newell

by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate film negative, 10 July 1940
Given by Bassano & Vandyk Studios, 1974
Photographs Collection
NPG x37350

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  • Bassano Ltd (active 1901-1962), Photographers. Artist or producer associated with 42746 portraits.

Events of 1940back to top

Current affairs

Following the German invasion of the Netherlands, Belgium and France, Neville Chamberlain resigns and Churchill is appointed Prime Minister making the famous speech: 'I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.'
The Battle of Britain ends the Phoney War with Germany's attack on the nation from the air. Britain's cities, airbases and ports are bombed during the Blitz.

Art and science

With little access to sculpture materials, and a bombed out studio Henry Moore starts experimenting with drawings of war subjects. After taking shelter in a London Underground station during an air raid Moore was inspired to begin a series of Shelter Drawings. With a commission from the War Artists Advisory Committee, headed by Kenneth Clark, these became some of the most popular example of official war art.

International

Britain's attempt to defend France against German invasion by landing troops on the French coast ends in failure; France surrenders and Britain is left to face the Axis Powers alone. While the Dunkirk Landings were a failure, the heroic rescue of troops by a fleet of English civilian boats was a victory for morale, and the 'Dunkirk Spirit' came to stand as an emblem of British triumph in adversity.

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Judith Yarrow

08 January 2021, 16:23

This is my Grandfather who I remember fondly as we lived across the village green from him in the Quaker village of Jordans, Buckinghamshire and we were always popping into his house.
There's a memorial plaque in Gloucester Cathedral in recognition of his work in Anglo-American relations. He met my grandmother in Turkey, who was teaching the violin there while he was lecturing in International relations at the American college. This was his 2nd marriage but we still keep in touch with family from his 1st marriage.
Here's his obituary
From "The Times", February 1976.:
"...Born in Boston, Mass., Arthur Newell was educated at Colby Academy, Brown University and Harvard Graduate school. During the First World War he directed educational programmes for war prisoners in Europe and became Secretary of the International YMCA (European Division) in New York. In 1927 he was appointed Professor of International Relations and History at Robert College, Istanbul, Turkey. Convinced for many years of the necessity for the closest possible understanding between the United States and Britain,
Professor Newell came to England in 1931 and formulated the original programme of British-American Associates. In all his work he regarded British-American relations as a vital factor in the world situation.
During the Second War he was joint Chairman of the London International Assembly and he broadcast regularly in "American Commentary" on the Overseas Service of the BBC. He founded, and was first President, of the American Outpost in Great Britain; of Books across the Sea; and of the Kinsman, and Vice-President of the Council for Education in World Citizenship. He founded the British American Associates after the war, involving lectures on both sides of the Atlantic, almost until his death

...A lifelong study of the international scene, an intimate knowledge of Britain and America and the ability to present a balanced view of the many, complicated world problems enabled Arthur Newell to make a unique contribution to British-American understanding. He will long be remembered with affection and gratitude by his audiences and innumerable friends in Britain and America for all that he did to bring the people of the two countries closer together...."

Another friend wrote:

"It has been said that the UK and America are two nations divided by a common language. Arthur Newell, who died on February 17th 1976 at the age of 90 was one of the most skilled and amusing interpreters of that common language that I have ever heard. The way he used it, it healed....

... Throughout the following years of war, of peace, of misunderstanding, of coming together and drifting apart, Arthur Newell continued his work as one of those many, unofficial ambassadors who interpret each side to the other; in all he did and said he diminished those things that divide while he nurtured and extended those that unite..."