Walter Birmingham
Walter Birmingham (January 4, 1913 – August 16, 2004) was an educationist and economist who served as the warden of Toynbee Hall.[1] He also worked on economic planning for West Africa in the post-colonial era.[2]
Walter Birmingham | |
|---|---|
| Warden of Toynbee Hall | |
| In office 1964–1972 | |
| Preceded by | Jack Catchpool |
| Succeeded by | Donald Piers Chesworth |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 January 1913 Firozpur, India |
| Died | 16 August 2004 (aged 91) |
| Alma mater | London School of Economics |
Early life
Birmingham was born in Firozpur, India, in 1913.
He took night classes at the London School of Economics, obtaining a degree in economics.[1]
Career
Birmingham taught at several British, African, and American universities and was involved in economic development planning for West Africa.[2]
He was professor of economics at the University of Lesotho.[1]
Toynbee Hall
In 1964, Birmingham was appointed warden of the Victorian charity Toynbee Hall, which had fallen on hard times.[2]
Soon after taking post, he took on the disgraced former government minister John Profumo as a volunteer.[3] Profumo would continue to support Toynbee Hall for decades, eventually becoming chairman of the charity.[4]
Personal life
He married twice with a son and a daughter from his first marriage and two sons and one daughter from the second.[1]
A sculpture of Birmingham by Betty Jukes is housed at Toynbee Hall.[5]
References
- Eric Moonman (6 September 2004). "Walter Birmingham". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- "Walter Birmingham". The Times. 13 September 2004. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- Ian Jack (18 March 2006). "The warden of Toynbee Hall". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- "Profumo's charity work remembered". BBC News. 10 March 2006. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- "Walter Birmingham (1913–2004), Warden of Toynbee Hall (1968–1972)". Art UK. Retrieved 21 February 2022.