GCT Giles
Leading British communist and educator / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Granville Charles Trelawney Giles[lower-alpha 1] (9 May 1891 – 30 October 1976),[1][2] known as GCT Giles, was a leading British communist, most famous for playing a central role in the evacuation of three million children to the countryside during World War II, and for playing a prominent role in the formation of Britain's post-war educational reforms. Despite being educated at both Eton College and the University of Cambridge, he was a supporter of the comprehensive school system, fighting for the rights of working-class children and teachers.[3] He was also the first communist to be appointed president of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), and headed a school which following his retirement became one of Britain's first comprehensive schools.[4]
GCT Giles | |
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Born | Granville Charles Trelawney Giles (1891-05-09)9 May 1891 |
Died | 30 October 1976(1976-10-30) (aged 85) |
Nationality | British |
Education | Eton College University of Cambridge |
Occupation(s) | Teacher, officer in the British army, journalist |
Known for | Leading British communist. Leading British educational activist. Playing a central role in the evacuation of children during WWII. First communist to become president of the National Union of Teachers |
Notable work | The New School Tie (1946) |
Political party | Labour (until 1926) CPGB (1926–1976) |
Giles became a communist after visiting the Soviet Union in 1925. He joined the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) during the 1926 United Kingdom general strike,[5] and would remain a lifelong member. Later in life, he became the target of anti-communist witch-hunts, which led him to lose his position temporarily on the executive of the NUT. Despite suffering from political persecution, he made a significant contribution to British educational policy, directly influencing the pattern of educational reform in the period immediately following World War II,[6] and greatly improving the working conditions of British teachers.[3]