Wilson, Harold (1916-1995), served as prime minister of the United Kingdom from October 1964 to June 1970 and from March 1974 to April 1976. Wilson was prime minister during times of great economic difficulty. His country faced inflation, strikes, low industrial production, and a deficit in its balance of payments. To try to solve these problems, Wilson’s government devalued the British pound, raised taxes, and put a ceiling on prices and wages.
James Harold Wilson was born on March 11, 1916, in Huddersfield, Yorkshire. The son of an industrial chemist, young Harold was educated at Wirral Grammar School and Jesus College, Oxford, where he later taught economics. During World War II (1939-1945), Wilson served as an economist for the government. He entered Parliament in 1945 as representative for Ormskirk in the House of Commons. Also in 1945, Wilson became parliamentary secretary for the Ministry of Works. In 1947, he was named secretary of overseas trade. Later in 1947, he became president of the Board of Trade. He held that post until 1951. In 1954, he became a member of the Labour Party’s parliamentary committee. He served as the party’s leader from 1963 until 1976, when he resigned as prime minister and Labour Party leader. He was then knighted, becoming Sir Harold Wilson. In 1983, he was named a baron and became Lord Wilson and a member of the House of Lords. Wilson was married to Gladys Mary Baldwin, with whom he had two children. He died in London on May 24, 1995.
