John Cockcroft (politician)

John Hoyle Cockcroft (6 July 1934 – 25 April 2023) was a British Conservative politician and journalist.

Early life and education

Cockcroft was born on 6 July 1934 in Todmorden, Yorkshire, to Lionel Cockroft and Jenny Hoyle.[1][2] He was educated at Oundle School, and attended St John's College, Cambridge, as a senior major scholar, graduating with a degree in History and Economics in 1958. That same year, he was elected president of the Cambridge Union Society.[3] He served as a lieutenant in the Royal Army from 1953 to 1955.[1]

Career

Cockcroft worked as a journalist from 1959 to 1974, and again from 1981 through to 1986, writing for the Financial Times, Daily Telegraph, and Sunday Telegraph.[1] He was member of Parliament for Nantwich in Cheshire from February 1974 until his retirement in 1979.[1][4][5] He served on numerous boards and commissions.[1]

Personal life and death

In 1971, Cockroft married Tessa Shepley. They had three daughters.[2] In retirement, Cockcroft lived in Chelmsford. He continued to write and read, despite failing eyesight. Cockcroft died on 25 April 2023, at the age of 88.[6]

Cockcroft's uncle was the Nobel-prize winning physicist Sir John Cockcroft.[6]

References
  1. John Cockcroft listing at Debrett's website. Accessed 1 February 2010.
  2. Obituaries, Telegraph (30 April 2023). "John Cockcroft, Telegraph leader writer, Tory MP and passionate European – obituary". The Telegraph – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  3. "COCKCROFT, John Hoyle". Who's Who. Vol. 2018 (online ed.). A & C Black. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  4. Mr John Cockcroft MP Nantwich at the Public Whip website. Accessed 1 February 2010.
  5. Millbank Systems website. Accessed 1 February 2010.
  6. "John Cockcroft obituary". The Times. 29 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.


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