Gerald Barry (British journalist)

Sir Gerald Barry (20 November 1898 – 21 November 1968) was a British newspaper editor and organiser of the Festival of Britain that attracted highly favourable national attention in 1951. Barry was long-time newspaper editor with left-leaning, middle-brow views, he was energetic and optimistic, with an eye for what would be popular, and had a knack on how to motivate others. He was not seen as a Labour ideologue. Barry selected the next rank of Festival organizers, giving preference to young architects and designers who had collaborated on exhibitions for the wartime Ministry of Information. They thought along the same lines socially and aesthetically, as middle-class intellectuals with progressive sympathies. Thanks to Barry a collegial sentiments prevailed that minimised stress and delay.

Born in Surbiton, Barry studied at Marlborough College, and planned to continue his education at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, but instead joined the Royal Flying Corps then, on its establishment, the Royal Air Force. In 1919, he took a post as a journalist at the Daily Express, and in 1921 he moved to the Saturday Review as Assistant Editor, becoming editor in 1924. He resigned in 1930, refusing an order from the board of directors to support the United Empire Party. He was immediately appointed editor of the new Week-End Review, an article in which prompted the formation of the Political and Economic Planning think-tank; Barry was appointed as a founder member.

When the Week-end Review merged with the New Statesman in 1934, Barry joined its board of directors. Meanwhile, he took a post as Features Editor of the News Chronicle, succeeding Aylmer Vallance as Editor in 1936, serving until 1947. The following year, he was appointed Director-General of the Festival of Britain, with responsibility for selecting and leading the team which organised the event. He was knighted in the Birthday Honours that year.

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