Peter John Preston

Background

His father died from polio when he was child, and he subsequently caught the disease. He spent 18 months in and out of hospital, including time in an iron lung.

Education

He was educated at Loughborough Grammar School and St John's College, Oxford, where he edited the student paper Cherwell.

Career

The disease caused permanent damage to his body. He has received honorary degrees from the City University, London and the University of Leicester (2003). He joined The Guardian in 1963 and was editor for twenty years, from 1975 to 1995.

In both instances, a source was Harrod's and Paris Ritz owner Mohammed Al-Fayed. Preston was also editor when the Guardian was forced to hand over leaked government documents which were then traced to a Foreign Office copier, leading to Sarah Tisdall who was subsequently imprisoned under the Official Secrets Act 1911. He continues as a columnist on political and social issues, also contributing a weekly column, "Peter Preston on press and broadcasting", devoted mainly to news about newspapers, their readers and (generally) diminishing circulations in The Observer's "business and media" section.

Preston is also an author, with two novels, Bess and 51st State.

Membership

He was a member of the (Guardian-owning) Scott Trust from 1979 to 2003, Chairman of the International Press Institute from 1995 to 1997, and Chairman of the Association of British Press Editors.

Interests

• Football, films, four children.

Connections

Married Jean Mary Burrell in 1962.

Father:

John Whittle Preston

Mother:

Kathlyn (nee Chell)

Spouse:

Jean Mary Burrell