Hugh Chisholm | |
|---|---|
 Chisholm in 1903 | |
| Born | 22 February 1866 (1866-02-22) London, England |
| Died | 29 September 1924(1924-09-29) (aged 58) London, England |
| Education | Corpus Christi College, Oxford |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist and encyclopedia editor |
| Known for | 10th,11th, and 12th editions of theEncyclopædia Britannica |
| Children | Archibald and 2 other sons |
| Relatives | Grace Chisholm (sister) |
Hugh Chisholm (/ˈtʃɪzəm/CHIZ-əm; 22 February 1866 – 29 September 1924) was a British journalist. He was the editor of the 10th, 11th and 12th editions of theEncyclopædia Britannica.
He was born inLondon, England, a son of Henry Williams Chisholm (1809–1901),Warden of the Standards at theBoard of Trade, and his wife Anna Louisa Bell; the mathematicianGrace Chisholm was his sister. He was educated atFelsted School and matriculated atCorpus Christi College, Oxford, in 1884, graduating in 1888 with a first class inliterae humaniores. He wascalled to the bar at theMiddle Temple in 1892.[1][2]
Chisholm worked forThe St James's Gazette as assistant editor from 1892 and was appointed editor in 1897. During these years, he also contributed numerous articles on political, financial and literary subjects to the weekly journals and monthly reviews, becoming well known as a literary critic and conservative publicist. He moved in 1899 toThe Standard as chief leader-writer and moved in 1900 toThe Times, to act as co-editor withSir Donald Mackenzie Wallace and PresidentArthur Twining Hadley ofYale University on preparation of the eleven volumes forming the 10th edition of theEncyclopædia Britannica. In 1903, he became editor-in-chief for the11th edition, which was completed under his direction in 1910, and published as a whole by theCambridge University Press, in 29 volumes, in 1911. He subsequently planned and edited theBritannica Year-Book (1913).[3]
Chisholm had been suggested as replacement as editor ofThe Times as an alternative toGeoffrey Dawson.Lord Northcliffe, owner ofThe Times from 1909, promised him the post in 1911, but did not act on the promise, and Dawson continued to 1919.[1]
In 1913, following his return from America overseeing the printing ofThe Britannica Year-Book, Chisholm was appointed day editor ofThe Times.[3] His role included that ofleader writer; but eventually he fell out with Northcliffe.[1] In August 1913, he was appointed a director of the company. He was financial editor throughoutWorld War I, resigning in 1920 when he embarked on the editorship of the three volumes forming the 12th edition ofEncyclopædia Britannica, published in 1922.[3]
In 1893, Chisholm married Eliza Beatrix Harrison, daughter ofHenry Harrison ofCounty Down. Together they had three sons.[1] Their sonArchibald Chisholm played a key role in the development of the oil industry inKuwait and was editor of theFinancial Times from 1937 to 1940.[4]
