Excerpts from Banner Headlines by Stafford Somerfield, former reporter, editor and director of News of the World published in 1979.
After Riddell’s death, Emsley Carr succeeded him as Chairman of the News of the World, buying Riddell’s shares for a million, raising the money in the City.
He was already Editor and, if you judge an editor’s success by his paper’s circulation as many proprietors do, Emsley Carr was the greatest. Not only the editor who lasted longest, but he was also the editor who sold most newspapers.
When his uncle, Lascelles Carr, gave him the job in 1841, sales were in excess of four million. He lived a full life, claiming that ‘my life is in my newspaper’. While he lived there was not a ripple in the Bonverie Street surface; journalists he took on never left, except to retire or die.
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His moment of triumph came in 1941 when, at the age of seventy-four, a luncheon was given at the Dorchester to mark his fifty years in the editorial chair. Although it was wartime, Churchill came and spoke, and Beaverbrook attended and Lord Astor, Chairman of The Times, presided. Lord Astor unveiled a portrait of the great Editor, joking ‘ The Times and the News of the World are not in competition. They publish on different days.’
The King sent a telegram of congratulation and Churchill said: ‘ When things are not at their best in this country, it is to the journalist people turn for inspiration’. Churchill told how Carr had introduced him to golf- ‘ a very agreeable and adorable accomplishment to conversation’. He acclaimed Emsley’s record and then excused himself on the grounds that he must get on with other important affairs.
Churchill, himself no mean journalist, contributed to the paper for many years. It was the medium he chose not only for a series called ‘The World’s Great Stories’, but also for ‘Great Men’ and ‘Great Events of our Time’.
Emsley Carr died three months after the celebration luncheon and Percy Davis, his deputy, became Editor.
Dedication of the Book: To all those who marry journalists. They have my deepest sympathy.
Favourite Quote: My advice to youngsters seeking jobs in Fleet Street never varied. Don’t become a journalist unless you feel that you must and nothing else will do. Even then think twice.
To reach the top you must be dedicated; your work must come before home, family and everything else. No sensible girl would marry a reporter, or be one.
