Scott, Richard Farquhar., 1914-2011

Richard Scott, journalist and chairman of the Scott Trust, held a series of senior editorial posts on the Guardian newspaper.

The son of Edward Taylor Scott and grandson of Charles Prestwich Scott, both former editors of the Guardian newspaper. Educated at Gresham School, Norfolk and Christ’s College, Cambridge. After leaving school he began his career with the Legal Nations Union in London, writing brochures, pamphlets and memoranda for members. Following this he spent a year working for The Spectator before working for the British Council and the Foreign Office in the news department.

He first contributed to the Guardian in 1947. As diplomatic correspondent Richard Scott was involved in the Guardian’s reporting of the Suez crisis. He moved to America, as Washington correspondent, in 1963.

A member of the Scott Trust from 1948-1984 and chairman from 1956-1984. As a member of the Scott Trust he was involved in guiding the Guardian through a financial crisis and possible merger with The Times in the 1960s.

He was the last member of the Scott family to hold senior office in the paper.

From the guide to the Papers of Richard Scott, 1910-2002, (Guardian News & Media Archive)