Dossier HBD - Memoir and anecdotes of Hugo Davenport

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Part of project by The Observer to gather material for the archive.

Typed memoir of Hugo Davenport's time at the Observer in the 1980s.

Hugo Davenport arrived at the Observer in August 1981 after a brief stint as a sub editor for the Guardian. He was hired by news editor Robin Lustig, and describes how he felt immediately at home.

Various recollections of senior figures follow, including Simon Hoggart and Jane Bown. Hugo took over as Northern Ireland correspondent around 1983. He describes his frustration at what he thought was the paper's unwillingness to fully tackle the downsides of Thatcherism.

He also talks about his 'baptism of fire' - covering an IRA bomb at Harrods department store - and fulfilling a lifelong desire to visit the North Pole (through Observer sponsorship of a Ranulph Fiennes' expedition).

Administrative/Biographical history: Hugo Davenport joined the staff of the Observer in 1981 as a reporter until 1985. He was Northern Ireland correspondent and diarist between 1983-84. Four years after he left the Observer, Hugo was offered the job as film critic for the Telegraph.

Copyright: Hugo Davenport

OHP/14 Oral history interview with Hugo Davenport