Papers of Charles Fenby (1905-1974), journalist

Papers relating to 'The Other Oxford', including Frank Gray's drafts; miscellaneous other papers, including those relating to the Commonwealth Press Union and International Press Institute.

Charles Fenby (1905-74) was a student at Wadham College, University of Oxford. He started his journalism career as a reporter with the 'Westminster Gazette' in 1926. Two years later, he helped found the 'Oxford Mail', editing it between the years 1929-40. His career continued as assistant editor on the 'Picture Post' from 1940-4, editor of 'Leader Magazine', 1944-8, and editor-in-chief of the 'Birmingham Gazette', 1948-57, before becoming editorial director of the Westminster Press from 1957 until his retirement in 1970.

Charles Fenby was also the chairman of the British Committee of the International Press Institute, a position from which he retired in 1973. Outside journalism, he is best known for two books about Oxford, 'Anatomy of Oxford' (1938, written with Cecil Day-Lewis), and 'The Other Oxford' (1970). The latter drew extensively on the unpublished writings of Frank Gray, Liberal MP for Oxford from 1922-4. These drafts also form part of the collection.

This collection is available to researchers by appointment at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick. See http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/library/mrc/using/

Link to full catalogue: http://mrc-catalogue.warwick.ac.uk/records/FEN

The collection was deposited with the Centre in 1975 by his widow.