James Dalziel

James Dalziel, the son of a shoemaker, was born in Kirkcudbrightshire in Scotland in 1868. After being educated at Shrewsbury High School and at King's College, London, he became a journalist.

A strong supporter of the advanced wing of the Liberal Party, Dalziel became the MP for Kirkcaldy in 1892. Two years later, Dalziel purchased the Reynold's Weekly News. Although it continued to express radical political views, the newspaper was now aimed at a more working class audience.

Dalziel and his newspaper gave the government their full support during the First World War. With the encouragement of the Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, Dalziel formed a group of Liberal sympathizers to buy the Daily Chronicle in 1918.

In 1921 Dalziel left the House of Commons after being granted the title, Baron Dalziel of Kirkcaldy. The following year he sold his interests in newspapers and retired from the business.

James Henry Dalziel died in 1935.