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William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook

Image credit: National Portrait Gallery, London

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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 (1943–1945). In 1961 he and his newspapers opposed British entry into the Common Market. Commissioned by Sir James Dunn, a fellow Canadian, this portrait was painted from a photograph that Sickert had seen in the press, setting this against a backdrop depicting Margate harbour.

National Portrait Gallery, London

London

Title

William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook

Date

1935

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 176.2 x W 107.3 cm

Accession number

5173

Acquisition method

Given by the Beaverbrook Foundation, 1977

Work type

Painting

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National Portrait Gallery, London

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