William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook
(1879-1964), Statesman and newspaper proprietorSitter 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.
William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook
by Walter Sickert, based on a photograph by Unknown photographer
oil on canvas, 1935
On display in Room 31 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 5173
William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook
by Yousuf Karsh
bromide print, 1943
NPG P490(9)
William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook
by Yousuf Karsh
bromide print, 1949
NPG P490(10)
William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook
by Graham Sutherland
sketchbook, 90 pages, 1951
NPG 5335
William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook
by Graham Sutherland
oil on canvas, 1952
NPG 5195
William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook
by Unknown photographer
gelatin silver print, 1920s
NPG x198401
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 Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1930
NPG x2803
William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1930
NPG x2804
William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1930
NPG x2805
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1930
NPG x2806
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1930
NPG x2808
William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook
by Unknown photographer
glossy bromide print, 1934
NPG x88654
William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook
by Felix H. Man
bromide print, circa 1951
NPG x1149
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 Sir David Low
print, 1926
NPG D4523
William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook
after Graham Sutherland
photographic collotype printed in colours, (1952)
NPG D31601
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1930
NPG x2807
William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook
by Colin Vines
snapshot print, 25 May 1962
NPG x20498
William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook
by Colin Vines
bromide print, 1963
NPG x20693
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