Ivor Bulmer-Thomas
Ivor Bulmer-Thomas CBE FSA (30 November 1905 – 7 October 1993), born Ivor Thomas, was a British journalist and scientific writer who served eight years as a Member of Parliament (MP). His career was much influenced by his conversion to the Church of England in his youth, and he became a pious believer on the Anglo-Catholic wing of the Church.
Ivor Bulmer-Thomas CBE FSA | |
|---|---|
| Parliamentary Secretary to the Air Ministry | |
| In office 10 August 1945 – 4 October 1946 | |
| Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies | |
| In office 4 October 1946 – 1947 | |
| Member of Parliament for Keighley | |
| In office 13 February 1942 – 3 February 1950 | |
| Preceded by | Hastings Lees-Smith |
| Succeeded by | Charles Hobson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ivor Thomas 30 November 1905 |
| Died | 7 October 1993 (aged 87) |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Labour (until 1948) Conservative (1949–81) SDP (from 1981) |
A brilliant scholar and champion athlete while at university, Bulmer-Thomas wrote biographies and worked as a sub-editor on The Times during his early life. His experience in wartime Italian propaganda led him to doubt its value. Serving in the Attlee Labour Party government in junior roles made him resent the influence of the Labour left; he fell out with party policy on nationalisation and moved to the Conservative Party. He was a workaholic and after leaving politics he became a leading layman in the Church of England; an interest in historic buildings led him to set up the Friends of Friendless Churches group, which campaigns to prevent churches falling into disuse, and play a key role in founding the charity known today as The Churches Conservation Trust.