WILSON, Charles Martin 1935-2022

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Jan 27, 2023, 7:58:49 AM1/27/23

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From the Times of 1 Sept 2022:

E X T R A C T

Obituary - Charles Wilson, former editor of The Times, dies aged 87

Working-class Glaswegian who rose from Fleet Street copy boy to editor of The Times and increased circulation amid the Wapping dispute

…Charles Martin Wilson was born in Glasgow in 1935, where his father, Adam, a former miner, was a steelworks labourer. He was educated at the local Eastbank Academy, a working-class grammar school and was heading for university until he returned home one evening to find his mother Ruth standing at the front door with his brothers and packed suitcases. She had quarrelled with his father, who had been locked up by the police, and had decided to leave Glasgow for London. Wilson joined them on the overnight train.

The quarrel led to an abrupt change in Wilson’s prospects. On the following Monday morning, at the age of 16, he became a copy boy at The People. He carried copy between the tape machines and editorial departments and fetched tea and cigarettes for the reporters…

…One reporter in the [Daily] Mail newsroom was Anne Robinson (later to host the BBC game show The Weakest Link). She and Wilson fell in love and married in 1968, but their relationship was always tempestuous. According to Robinson’s memoirs, after they first slept together, Wilson got her to cook him breakfast the next morning before he left for work. She then cleared up, but when she arrived 20 minutes late for work he gave her a public bawling out. On one occasion, during a drunken row, she bit him on the arm. “We hit out at each other. It was very ugly,” she wrote. Wilson decided not to contest the book out of concern for their daughter, Emma. Robinson, who moved to The Sunday Times after the Mail, had become an alcoholic. In 1973 they filed for divorce, with Emma, then two, at the centre of a custody battle. Wilson was given sole custody and Robinson just occasional access. Emma went to New York University, produced her own radio show and now produces voiceovers. Robinson later praised Wilson for his “decency and honour” in helping with her recovery and in supporting her relationship with their daughter…

…His second marriage was to Sally O’Sullivan, a former editor of Good Housekeeping who went on to launch her own magazine group. Their son Luke is a restaurateur; their daughter Lily is a TV producer whose credits include Britain’s Got Talent and The Voice. The marriage was dissolved in 2001 and he married in that year Rachel, daughter of Baroness Pitkeathley…

Charles Wilson, journalist, was born on August 18, 1935. He died of complications from blood cancer on August 31, 2022, aged 87

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/charles-wilson-former-editor-of-the-times-dies-aged-87-nspxqdk2g

From the Times of 27 Jan 2023:

E X T R A C T

Memorial Service: Charles Wilson

A memorial service for Mr Charles Wilson, journalist and former editor of The Times, was held on Thursday January 26, 2023, at St Bride’s Church, London.

The Rev Canon Dr Alison Joyce, rector of St Bride’s, officiated, led the prayers and pronounced the blessing. The rector also read the lesson: Psalm 107, verses 23-32.

Ms Lily Wilson, daughter, read “Jumping for Joy”, a magazine article written by her father.

Ms Elisabeth Murdoch read a tribute written by her father, Mr Rupert Murdoch. Mr Philip Webster and Mr Brough Scott gave the addresses.

During the service, members of the Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Warwickshire, played Take Five by Paul Desmond and Post Horn Galop by Hermann Koenig. The Choir of St Bride’s sang Nobody Does it Better by Carole Bayer Sager and Marvin Hamlisch and, with the band, performed What a Wonderful World by Bob Thiele and David Weiss, arranged by Mr Robert Jones, director of music. Mr Alex Dengate played the piano and Mr Benjamin Giddens played the organ. The Last Post and Reveille were played by Mr Antonio Socci and Mr Hugh Sutherland, trumpet.

Among those present were: the Hon Mrs Wilson (widow), Mr and Mrs Luke Wilson (son and daughter-in-law), Mr Liam Kan and Ms Emma Wilson (son-in-law and daughter), Mr Gareth Jones (son-in-law), Hudson Wilson Kan, Parker Penrose Kan, Leo Wilson, Ray Wilson, Flynn Wilson, Molly Jones, Ruby Wren Jones (grandchildren), Ms Sally O’Sullivan, Ms Anne Robinson with other members of the family.

Also present were: Baroness Black of Crossharbour, Baroness Boycott, Lord Faulks (chairman, Ipso), Lord Gardiner of Kimble, Lord Garnier, Baroness Mallalieu, Lord Mancroft, Baroness Pitkeathley, Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale, Lord and Lady Warner, the Hon Simon Pitkeathley…with many more friends, former colleagues and organisations having connection with Mr Wilson.