Origins & Early Life

Harold Sidney Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Rothermere (26 April 1868 – 26 November 1940), was a leading British newspaper proprietor who owned Associated Newspapers Ltd. He is best known, like his brother Alfred Harmsworth, later Viscount Northcliffe, for the development of the Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror. Rothermere was a pioneer of popular tabloid journalism, and his descendants continue to control the Daily Mail and General Trust. Two of Rothermere's three sons were killed in action during the First World War and in the 1930s, he advocated peaceful relations between Germany and the United Kingdom, and used his media influence to that end.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He became known for his open support for fascism and praise for Nazi Germany and the British Union of Fascists, which contributed to the popularity of those views in the 1930s. After seeing his hopes dashed by the outbreak of the Second World War, he died in Bermuda. Harmsworth was the second son of Alfred and Geraldine Harmsworth (née Maffett). His thirteen siblings included Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe, Cecil Harmsworth, 1st Baron Harmsworth, Sir Leicester Harmsworth, 1st Baronet, and Sir Hildebrand Harmsworth,...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adah Isaacs Menken — Contemporary (Died in 1868) (1868): American actress, painter, and poet known for sensational stage performances.
• Annie S. D. Maunder — Contemporary (Born in 1868) (1868): Pioneering Irish astronomer known for discovering the Maunder Minimum and sunspot cycles.
• Arnold Sommerfeld — Contemporary (Born in 1868) (1868): Pioneering theoretical physicist known for quantum and atomic physics.
• Abbas Kiarostami — Contemporary (Born in 1940) (1940): Master Iranian filmmaker known for blending fiction and documentary styles.
• Al Pacino — Contemporary (Born in 1940) (1940): Intense American actor celebrated for his powerful stage and screen performances.
• Alan Kay — Contemporary (Born in 1940) (1940): Pioneer of GUI, Object-Oriented Programming, and modern computing paradigms.
• A. E. van Vogt — Shared historical date (04-26 · Born) (1912): Influential Canadian-American science fiction writer known for bizarre narratives.
• Akseli Gallen-Kallela — Shared historical date (04-26 · Born) (1865): Leading Finnish painter and pioneer of national romantic art, famed for the Kalevala.
• Adam Mickiewicz — Shared historical date (11-26 · Died) (1855): National Poet of Poland, Romantic master, and leading voice of Slavic literature.
• Adolfo Pérez Esquivel — Shared historical date (11-26 · Born) (1931): Argentine activist and Nobel Peace laureate for human rights defense.
• 1868 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1868
• April 26 (04-26) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on April 26
• 1940 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1940
• November 26 (11-26) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on November 26