Henry Noel Brailsford Blue plaque

“Henry Noel Brailsford 1873-1958 Writer. Champion of equal and free humanity, lived here”. Those are the words etched into the blue plaque before you. Let me tell you the story of the man behind this inscription. Henry Noel Brailsford was a prominent journalist and writer, considered one of the most prolific left-wing journalists of the first half of the 20th century. He was passionate about equality and freedom – a true champion of the downtrodden. Brailsford was born on Christmas Day, 1873, in Mirfield, Yorkshire, the son of a Methodist minister but he found his true calling in writing, not the pulpit. He rose to prominence as a foreign correspondent, covering conflicts in the Balkans, France, and Egypt. Brailsford’s writing was often critical of the prevailing political and social order. He was an ardent supporter of women’s suffrage, even resigning from his post at The Daily News in 1909 when the newspaper supported force-feeding suffragettes on hunger strike. Brailsford was deeply troubled by the horrors of war and wrote extensively about the brutality of the First World War. He also visited Soviet Russia twice, publishing books on his observations. He continued to champion social justice and fought against fascism and colonialism. Brailsford was certainly a man of strong convictions, even when those convictions were unpopular. He became a leading voice for the left during the Depression and the Second World War. He wrote for the Left Book Club and broadcast for the BBC Overseas Service. His legacy as a champion for equality and free humanity continues to inspire. So when you look at this blue plaque, remember the life of Henry Noel Brailsford – a writer, a champion, and a man ahead of his time.