Harold Wilson
(1916-1995), Prime Minister(James) Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx
Sitter in 54 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.
Watch a film clip on the sitter from the BBC Archive in the Media section below
Explore the portrait of Harold Wilson by Geoffrey Davien (NPG D2731) from all angles
by Barry Fantoni
pencil and gouache, 1960s-1970s
NPG 6788
by John Musgrave-Wood ('Emmwood')
pen and ink, Letratone and white heightening, 1963
NPG 5358
'Juke box jury' (Harold Wilson; Alec Douglas-Home; Jo Grimond)
by Victor Weisz
ink and crayon, circa 1964
NPG 6633
Sir Edward Heath; (Alfred) Ernest Marples, 1st Baron Marples; Harold Wilson
by William Papas ('Papas')
pen and ink, 1965
NPG 5349
(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')
pen and ink and wash, 1967
NPG 5364
by Ruskin Spear
oil on canvas, exhibited 1974
NPG 5047
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 20 May 1976
NPG P1268
by Arnold Newman
colour dye transfer print, 1978
NPG P150(38)
by Walter Stoneman
bromide print, September 1945
NPG x45597
Harold Wilson; Aneurin Bevan; Jennie Lee
by Planet News
bromide press print, 27 September 1954
NPG x184222
by Walter Bird
bromide print on card mount, 25 May 1962
NPG x45598
by Unknown photographer, for Central Office of Information
bromide print, May 1962
NPG x27447
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