Aitken, William, 1st Baron Beaverbrook

In his youth, he was successfully engaged in private enterprise in Canada. In 1910, became a member of the House of Commons of Great Britain from the Conservative Party . In 1911, elevated to the knighthood. Before the First World War, Aitken began to create a large newspaper and publishing concern, which includes such influential diaries as the Evening Standard and Daily Express . During the First World War, Aitken, on the instructions of the Canadian government, covers in his publications Canada's contribution to the war.

In 1916, William Aitken became a baronet , and in 1917 he received the title of Baron Beaverbrook (in the town of Beaverbrook in the province of New Brunswick , Canada). In the same year, 1917, Beaverbrook was appointed Minister of Information of Great Britain. In this position, he leads the activities of the Entente countries in the international arena in the field of anti-German, anti-Austrian and anti-Turkish propaganda. In 1918, he also briefly held the post of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (in the rank of minister).

Between World Wars, Beaverbrook gains great influence in British politics thanks to his newspaper-information empire. Beaverbrook, for example, has a special role in highlighting and fanning the scandal surrounding a misalliance marriage between King Edward VIII and twice-divorced American Wallis Simpson , as well as around the king’s sympathy for Nazi Germany . During World War II, Beaverbrook was first Minister of the Aviation Industry, then Minister of Stocks and Supply. He managed to achieve a sharp increase in the production of military aircraft by factories.

In 1943 - 1945, Beaverbrook was Lord Guardian of the Small Seal .

After the war, he lived on his estate in Surrey, was known as a philanthropist, and wrote several books. Beaverbrook's public foundation bequeathed his fortune, which is currently headed by his grandson.

Lord Beaverbrook was twice married; from his first wife, who died in 1927, had three children. He remarried in 1963, at the age of 84, to the widow of his friend.

Under Stalin, communism won the applause and admiration of all Western nations. Communism under Stalin gave us examples of patriotism, equal to the best in the annals of history. Communism under Stalin raised the best generals in the world. Persecution of Christianity? This is not true. There is no religious persecution. The doors of the church are open. Racial persecution of minorities? Absolutely not. Jews live like everyone else. Political repression? Sure. But now it’s clear that those who were shot would betray Russia to its German enemies.

Original text

Communism under Stalin has won the applause and admiration of all Western nations. Communism under Stalin has provided us with examples of patriotism equal to the finest in the annals of history. Communism under Stalin has produced the best generals in the world. The Persecution of Christianity? Not so. There is no religious persecution. Church doors are open. Racial persecution of minorities? Not at all. Jews live like other men. Political purges? Of course. But it is now clear that those who were shot would have betrayed Russia to her German enemies.

- Lord Beaverbrook, 1942 ^[3]