John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
6 of 42 portraits of John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
© National Portrait Gallery, London
John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith
by William Rothenstein
sanguine and white chalk, published 1937
16 3/8 in. x 11 1/8 in. (416 mm x 282 mm)
Given by Rothenstein Memorial Trust, 1968
Primary Collection
NPG 4648
Sitterback to top
- John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith (1889-1971), Administrator; first Director-General of the BBC. Sitter in 42 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Sir William Rothenstein (1872-1945), Artist and teacher of art. Artist or producer associated with 222 portraits, Sitter in 24 portraits.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 517
Events of 1937back to top
Current affairs
George VI becomes king. The younger brother of Edward VIII was crowned on the 12th May and the coronation was broadcast to Britain and the Empire on the radio. Edward becomes the Duke of Windsor, although the rank of 'Royal Highness' is not extended to Wallis Simpson.Neville Chamberlain becomes Prime Minister following Baldwin's retirement.
Art and science
Roland Penrose organises a tour of Picasso's painting Guernica to the UK. The painting, which shows the horrors of the Spanish Civil War, went on display at the Whitechapel Art Gallery in East LondonInternational
Commercial airship travel is brought to an end with the 'Hindenberg Disaster'. The German airship exploded while landing in New Jersey. The radio broadcaster Herbert Morrison's reaction has become legendary: 'Oh, the humanity!'Japan invades China, killing about 25,000. Japanese Troops committed numerous atrocities against soldiers and civilians in what became known as the 'Rape of Nanking'.
Comments back to top
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Anthony Munro-Martin
25 August 2020, 11:30
I have what I think is an original version of this portrait. The portriat is part of the estate of DH Munro who was Director Producer for BBC Television 1936-38 and previously BBC Radio Services. He was working with JCW Reith during this time.
The drawing/portrait is 24x19 cm and shows some light damage