18 Facts About Peter Preston

Peter John Preston was a British journalist and author.

Peter Preston was editor of The Guardian for twenty years, from 1975 to 1995.

Peter Preston was born in Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire, the son of John Preston, a greengrocery business manager, and his wife, Kathlyn Preston.

Peter Preston grew up in the village of Quorn, two miles south of Loughborough.

Peter Preston's father died from polio when Preston was a child, and he subsequently caught the disease; he spent 18 months in and out of hospital, including time in an iron lung.

Peter Preston rose to become editor in 1975 and remained so for more than twenty years, retiring in 1995.

Peter Preston reported on Conservative MPs, including the perjurious Jonathan Aitken and the cash-for-questions affair involving Neil Hamilton and Tim Smith.

Peter Preston was editor when The Guardian was forced to hand over leaked government documents, which were then traced to a Foreign Office copier, leading to Sarah Tisdall, who was imprisoned under the Official Secrets Act 1911.

Peter Preston continued as a columnist for the rest of his life.

Peter Preston contributed a weekly column to The Observer, "Peter Preston on press and broadcasting", devoted mainly to news about newspapers, their readers and diminishing circulations in the newspaper's "business and media" section.

Peter Preston was one of the founders of the European Press Prize and acted as chairman of its preparatory committee from 2013 until 2017.

Peter Preston had strong opinions on Brexit and the balance of the BBC and continued to take to social media to discuss this after his retirement.

Peter Preston was a member of the Scott Trust from 1979 to 2003, chairman of the International Press Institute from 1995 to 1997, and chairman of the Association of British Press Editors.

Peter Preston wrote two novels, Bess and 51st State.

In 1962, Peter Preston married Jean Burrell, and they had four children.

Peter Preston's son, Ben Preston, is a former deputy editor of The Times and Radio Times, and is executive editor of The Sunday Times.

Peter Preston received honorary degrees from the City University, London, and the universities of Leicester, Loughborough, Essex and Roehampton.

Peter Preston died on 6 January 2018 after suffering from melanoma.