Claud Cockburn

Date of Birth: April 12, 1904

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: December 15, 1981

Biography

Claud Cockburn was a prominent British journalist, known for his incisive reporting and left-wing political stance. Born in Peking (now Beijing), China, Cockburn was educated at Berkhamsted School and Keble College, Oxford. He initially worked for The Times but became disillusioned with mainstream journalism and founded his own newsletter, “The Week,” which became highly influential in the 1930s. Cockburn’s writing often challenged the political status quo, and he was known for his critical coverage of fascism and capitalism. During the Spanish Civil War, Cockburn reported from the front lines, aligning himself with the Republican side. His work during this period, including his book “Reporter in Spain,” is considered some of his most impactful. After the war, he continued his journalistic career, writing for various publications including the Daily Worker and later The Guardian. Cockburn’s style was both literary and polemical, earning him both acclaim and controversy.

5 Interesting Facts about Claud Cockburn

1. Claud Cockburn was a distant cousin of the novelist Evelyn Waugh.

2. He used the pseudonym “Frank Pitcairn” when writing for the Daily Worker.

3. His newsletter, “The Week,” was highly influential and was reportedly read by both Winston Churchill and Adolf Hitler.

4. Cockburn’s son, Alexander Cockburn, became a well-known journalist in his own right.

5. He was blacklisted during the McCarthy era in the United States due to his left-wing affiliations.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Claud Cockburn

1. “Never believe anything until it has been officially denied.”

2. “What the public wants is the image of passion, not passion itself.”

3. “Nothing sets a person up more than having something turn out just the way it’s supposed to be.”

4. “The secret of a good life is to have the right loyalties and hold them in the right scale of values.”

5. “The purpose of writing is to make your mother and father drop dead with shame.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Claud Cockburn’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but his influence and body of work were highly regarded rather than financially lucrative.

Children

Claud Cockburn had five children: Alexander Cockburn, Andrew Cockburn, Patrick Cockburn, Claudia Cockburn, and Sarah Caudwell (a pen name for his daughter Sarah Cockburn). Alexander, Andrew, and Patrick followed in their father’s footsteps, becoming journalists, while Sarah became a noted author and barrister.