• Biography

Early Life

Clare Hollingworth was born on October 10, 1911 in Knighton, England. She was the daughter of a wealthy industrialist and was educated at a private school in Leamington Spa. She went on to study at the University of Birmingham, where she earned a degree in French and German.

Career

After graduating, Hollingworth moved to Paris to work as a journalist. She was soon hired by the Daily Telegraph, where she worked as a foreign correspondent. In 1939, she was sent to Poland to cover the German invasion. It was there that she made her most famous discovery: the German army was massing on the Polish border. She reported her findings to the British government, who then declared war on Germany.

Hollingworth continued to work as a foreign correspondent throughout World War II, covering the war in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. She was the first journalist to report on the liberation of Auschwitz and the Nuremberg Trials. She also wrote extensively about the plight of refugees in Europe.

Later Life

After the war, Hollingworth returned to England and continued to work as a journalist. She wrote for the Daily Telegraph until her retirement in 1977. She also wrote several books, including her autobiography, The Eyewitness.

Hollingworth was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1982 for her services to journalism. She died in Hong Kong in 2017 at the age of 105.

Legacy

Clare Hollingworth was one of the most influential journalists of the 20th century. Her reporting of the German invasion of Poland was instrumental in the declaration of war, and her coverage of the war and its aftermath helped to shape public opinion. She was also a tireless advocate for refugees and a pioneer for women in journalism. Her legacy lives on in the many journalists who continue to follow in her footsteps.

Date modified: Apr 4, 2023
We seek for an accuracy and correctness in our content. In case you spot any mistake, please contact us

biogs you may want to read

  • Morley Safer
    Morley Safer
    Morley Safer was an iconic Canadian-American journalist and correspondent for CBS News and 60 Minutes. He reported from numerous countries, including Vietnam, and won numerous awards, including 12 Emmys and three Peabody Awards. He was known for his thoughtful and thorough reporting, and his legacy as one of the most influential journalists of his generation will live on.
  • Charles Enderlin
    Charles Enderlin
    Charles Enderlin is a French journalist and author, best known for his work as a correspondent for France 2 and his best-selling novel, The Lost Children of Gaza. He attended the University of Paris and Institut des Hautes Études de l'Information et de la Communication, and has reported on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the war in Iraq, the Arab Spring, and the refugee crisis in Europe. He has received numerous awards, including the Prix Albert Londres, and has inspired a generation of journalists.
  • Anthony Shadid
    Anthony Shadid
    Anthony Shadid was an American journalist and author who won two Pulitzer Prizes for his work in the Middle East. He reported on the Iraq War, Arab Spring, and the effects of war on the Iraqi people. He wrote two books and a memoir about his life as a journalist. He died in 2012 and his legacy lives on in the Anthony Shadid Award for Journalism.
  • Ron Galella
    Ron Galella
    Ron Galella was an iconic paparazzo photographer known for his aggressive tactics and willingness to take risks. His work helped create the modern celebrity culture and his legacy will live on through his iconic photographs.
  • Oriana Fallaci
    Oriana Fallaci
    Oriana Fallaci was an influential journalist and writer known for her fearless reporting and frankness. She covered the Vietnam War and Middle East conflict and interviewed influential figures. She wrote several books and articles, including The Force of Reason and The Rage and the Pride. She died in 2006 due to cancer. Her legacy lives on through her books and articles.
  • Phyllis Davies
    Phyllis Davies
    Phyllis Davies was a pioneering journalist born in London in 1892. She wrote for the London Times and BBC, covering politics, culture and social issues. She wrote several books and radio plays, and was an inspiration to many aspiring journalists. Her legacy lives on in the work of those who followed in her footsteps.