author
Arthur Greenwood
1880–1954
A leading Labour politician in Britain between the world wars and after, he is especially remembered for his forceful stand against Nazi aggression on the eve of World War II. His career stretched from education and civil service into some of the highest offices in government.
1 Audiobook
The War and Democracy
by R. W. (Robert William) Seton-Watson, Arthur Greenwood, John Dover Wilson, Alfred Zimmern
About the author
Born in Hunslet, Yorkshire, on 8 February 1880, he began working life in education and later became active in public administration and Labour politics. He rose within the Labour Party in the 1920s, serving as secretary of its research department and then as Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Health before entering Parliament.
Greenwood became one of Labour's best-known senior figures, serving as Minister of Health in the 1929–31 government and later as deputy leader of the party under Clement Attlee. He is often remembered for his response in the House of Commons on 2 September 1939, when he spoke firmly in favor of resisting Nazi Germany as Britain stood on the brink of war.
During and after the Second World War, he held major offices including Minister without Portfolio, Lord Privy Seal, and Paymaster-General. He represented Wakefield for many years and remained an important Labour statesman until his death in London on 9 June 1954.