Image credit: David Shankbone / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)
Former newspaper editor Sir Harold Evans, who was born in Eccles, has died at the age of 92.
The famous journalist died of heart failure in New York, according to his wife Tina Brown.
Dr Carole O’Reilly, Senior lecturer in Media & Cultural Studies at The University of Salford, said: “Harold Evans was a hugely influential figure in British journalism.
“A fervent campaigning journalist, he began his career in the provinces and made many of his trademark exposes there, not least his revelations of leaks from a local chemical plant while editor of the Northern Echo in Darlington.
“The son of a Salford train driver, he never forgot his roots and proudly accepted an honorary doctorate from Salford University in 2011.
“He oversaw the famous Insight investigative reporting team during his editorship of the Sunday Times.
“He wrote scathingly about his experiences working for Rupert Murdoch (‘he lies with consummate ease and conviction’) after which he moved to America.”
One of Sir Evans’ most notable stories was his work against the Distillers Company to secure more compensation for Thalidomide victims, and he received a knighthood for services to journalism in 2004.
Sir Evans moved the United States in 1984, where he taught at a University in North Carolina before going on to found the magazine Condé Nast Traveler.
Ian Wood, University of Salford senior lecturer and former Deputy Editor of the Manchester Evening News, recalled meeting Sir Harry Evans in 2009.
He said: “Harold Evans was a legendary figure among journalists.
“When he came into our newsroom everyone wanted to meet him.
“We huddled around him and listened as he talked in a quiet voice about his adventures.
“But, more importantly, he spoke about his continuing passion for journalism, its significance and the good it can do.
“Journalists don’t tend to have heroes – but Harry Evans is one of mine”.
Tributes have been posted to social media to remember the journalism legend.
Very sorry to hear that legendary journalist, Sir Harold Evans has died. I always enjoyed talking to Harry, and we had a lively conversation when he interviewed me at Women in the World in 2015. My condolences go to @TinaBrownLM and his family. pic.twitter.com/OZumjixhJh
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) September 24, 2020
I met Harold Evans a year ago. He gave me an absolute grilling about History Hit. Podcasts, video on demand, monetisation, cost of acquisition, churn. He was in his 90s. I had to have a little rest afterwards.
— Dan Snow (@thehistoryguy) September 24, 2020
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