Hannen Swaffer

Frederick Charles Hannen Swaffer (1 November 1879 – 16 January 1962) was a British journalist and drama critic.

Swaffer was educated at Stroud Green Grammar School, Kent.

He joined the Daily Mail in 1902. He was editor of Weekly Dispatch and helped develop the Daily Mirror into a popular newspaper. In 1913, he initiated "Mr Gossip" for the Daily Sketch. He also started "Mr London" for the Daily Graphic. He was editor of The People, and in 1926, became drama critic of the Daily Express. He joined the Daily Herald in 1931.

In the 1930s Swaffer led a spiritualist home circle, following the teachings of the native-American spirit "Silver Birch", which were published by A. W. Austen in 1938.^[1]

Hannen Swaffer was a socialist, but resigned from the Labour Party in 1957. He also became a spiritualist. He is said to have written almost a million words each year. His publications included Northcliffe's Return (1925), Really Behind the Scenes (1929), Hannen Swaffer's Who's Who (1929), Adventures with Inspiration (1929), When Men Talk Truth (1934), My Greatest Story (1945) and What Would Nelson Do? (1946).

Swaffer appeared in the films Death at Broadcasting House (1934), Late Extra (1935) and Spellbound (1941). He also appeared on The Brains Trust programme. He died in London, England.

The British Press Awards were originally named after Swaffer.^[2]

Notes

References

• YORKSGEN-L Archives information

External links

• Hannen Swaffer (1879–1962) portraits in the National Portrait Gallery, London
• Hannen Swaffer at the Internet Movie Database
• Portrait of Hannen Swaffer (1879–1962) by Laurence Bradshaw, FRBS

Books

• Tom Driberg, Swaff: Life and Times of Hannen Swaffer. Macdonald, 1974. ISBN 0-356-04369-X.