On This Day

September 19, 1858

Birth of Sir Henry Norman, journalist and Liberal MP for Wolverhampton South 1900-10 and Blackburn 1910-23

Born in Leicester, Henry Norman’s early career was as a journalist working for the Pall Mall Gazette and the Daily Chronicle. He entered the House of Commons at the 1900 general election. In 1910, he briefly held a ministerial post as Assistant Postmaster General but lost his seat a few days later in the January 1910 election. Although he was successful at the following election in December of the same year he never held office again. He did however chair several important committees including the Wireless Telegraphy Committee which drew up a complete wireless scheme for the British Empire. Norman retired from parliament at the 1923 general election and lived in retirement until his death, aged 80, in 1939.