File 8 - David Astor

1 file

Correspondence with and about David Astor concerning the running of The Observer. Principal correspondents include Kenneth Obank, John Thompson, Michael Davie, Richard Findlater, Les Cane and Kenneth Harris.

Please note there are no details traditionally associated with personnel matters in this file, such as salary and other conditions of employment.

Contents include a copy of notes made 'for the editor's keynote speech', discussing The Observer's circulation, and existing and potential future competitiors (1961); draft of an article, provisionally titled 'The Sunday War: What it's all about, by an employee of The Observer', written by KP Obank (1962); typscript letter, written to Astor, from a correspondent who signs himself K on the future of The Observer (no address, but dated Oct 1961); memos to all editorial staff, emphasising the importance of confidentialily, and of not writing llibellous copy (1962); memo to KP Obank, on the need to reduce staff numbers (1962); a note on the cost of holding 'wine parties' (nd); copy of transcript of an interview of Astor, questioned by Kenneth Harris, and concerning his role as Editor (1963); copy of a report written by Bob Heller, on the organisation of the Sunday Times editorial team (1964); letter to Sir John Hunt on his accepting to be interviewed (1964); correspondence with Captain BH Liddell Hart on an interview,and on publishing extracts from his forthcoming memoirs (1965); correspondence with K Harris on contributors articles (1964-5); correspondence with readers on writing a piece on Sir Winston Churchill (1965); letters to Rt Hon RA Butler on becoming an occassional contributor to The Observer, and on publishing extracts from his forthcoming memoirs (1965); correspondence with Leeds University on recruiting graduates (1965); letter to the Rt Hon George Brown, MP, on an interview (1965); letter to John Osborne, on profiling him in The Observer (1965); letters to Harold Wilson and Edward Heath, proposing interviews (1965); letter to Sir Philip Magnus-Allcroft on writing an obituary for the Duke of Windsor (1965); letter to Rt Hon Christopher Soames on writing an obituary of his mother-in-law (1965); memo on new staff appointments (1965); memo suggesting that the authors of lead articles are always credited in the copy (1966); correspondence with KP Obank on the structure of the newspaper (1966); correspondence with Colonel LG Lohan of the Services, Press and Broadcasting Committee on providing information to The Observer (1966); note from Ken Obank, suggesting that William Millinship is promoted to Assistant News Editor (1966); report by Astor on his attendance at a conference on nuclear proliferation, held in Canada (1966); correspondence with The Press Council on an inquiry into the Moors Murder trial (1966); letter to Sir Eric Roll, on contributing to The Observer (1966); to Jo Grimond, on an interview (1967); correspondence regarding Astor's 21st anniversary as Editor of The Observer, and the presentation to him, of a 19th century hand-printing press as a gift (1969); notice of Astor's intention to retire, and a transcript of an interview held on the same (1975).
Also includes newspaper clippings of articles by Astor (1964-75).

Chronological