John Reith
Sir John Charles Walsham Reith G.B.E., D.C.L., A.M.I.C.E., A.M.I.Mech.E.
1889 Born in Scotland.
Educated at the Glasgow Academy, Gresham's School, Norfolk, and the Royal Technical College, Glasgow.
1912-4 Engineering apprenticeship in Glasgow.
Engineer with S. Pearson & Son, Ltd., London.
WWI Service in France with Royal Engineers (Major). Wounded.
1916-7 In charge of American munitions contracts in America
1918-9 Engaged on special construction work in England, latterly with the Admiralty
Post-WWI In charge of liquidation of armament and engineering contracts
1920-2 General Manager of William Beardmore & Co., Ltd., Coatbridge
1922 Appointed General Manager of the new British Broadcasting Company (then Managing Director).
1927 Appointed the first Director General of the BBC. His name is carved in marble at Broadcasting House.