Bevan
Creator of the NHS
Published on 20. September 2004
Book
Paperback/Softback
172 pages
978-1-904341-63-5 (ISBN)
Description
Aneurin 'Nye' Bevan was the man who created the National Health Service, the crowning achievement of the post-war Labour government. The son of a miner from Monmouthshire, Wales, he became a local miners' trade union leader at nineteen and was elected a Labour MP in 1929. He was one of few who dared criticise Churchill's leadership during the Second World War and demanded that the government commit to a more equal society.
When Labour came to power in 1945, as a minister responsible for health and housing Bevan contributed more than anyone to building a fairer Britain. He resigned from the cabinet in 1951 after two months in office in protest against the proposed introduction of prescription charges for dental and vision care, but continued to be an influential voice on the Labour Party left, inspiring group known as the Bevanites.
This biography traces Bevan's life and legacy; a skilled orator and champion for the welfare state whose influence on modern Britain cannot be overstated.
When Labour came to power in 1945, as a minister responsible for health and housing Bevan contributed more than anyone to building a fairer Britain. He resigned from the cabinet in 1951 after two months in office in protest against the proposed introduction of prescription charges for dental and vision care, but continued to be an influential voice on the Labour Party left, inspiring group known as the Bevanites.
This biography traces Bevan's life and legacy; a skilled orator and champion for the welfare state whose influence on modern Britain cannot be overstated.
Reviews / Votes
'Clare and Francis Beckett have written a short, thoroughly readable and affordable introduction to Bevan's life and politics.' -- Keith Flett, Socialist Review 200508More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Illustrations
52 black & white halftones
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 128 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
271 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-904341-63-5 (9781904341635)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Clare Beckett is an Associate Professor at the University of Bradford, where she teaches social policy and welfare history. She has particular interest in education for minority and less advantaged students. She is author of Thatcher (Haus 2007).
Francis Beckett is an author, journalist, playwright and contemporary historian. His nineteen books include biographies of four prime ministers: Clement Attlee, Harold Macmillan, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
Francis Beckett is an author, journalist, playwright and contemporary historian. His nineteen books include biographies of four prime ministers: Clement Attlee, Harold Macmillan, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
Content
Introduction // 1
The Boy from Tredegar (1897-1929) // 7
The Making of a Parliamentarian (1929-1935) // 19
The Political Fortunes of War (1936-1945) // 43
Bevan Comes in from the Cold (1945) // 67
Homes and Hospitals that Nye Built (1945-1948) // 83
From Triumph to Resignation (1948-1951) // 99
Bevan and the Bevanites (1951-1960) // 117
Bevan's Legacy and the Twenty-first Century // 135
Notes // 153
Index // 157
The Boy from Tredegar (1897-1929) // 7
The Making of a Parliamentarian (1929-1935) // 19
The Political Fortunes of War (1936-1945) // 43
Bevan Comes in from the Cold (1945) // 67
Homes and Hospitals that Nye Built (1945-1948) // 83
From Triumph to Resignation (1948-1951) // 99
Bevan and the Bevanites (1951-1960) // 117
Bevan's Legacy and the Twenty-first Century // 135
Notes // 153
Index // 157