PASSING OF A GREAT EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2960, 26 December 1916, Page 7

PASSING OF A GREAT EDITOR

THE MAN WHO MADE THE "STANDARD." Mr. William Heseltine Mudford, editor of the "Standard" from 1876 to 1900, died recently at his homo, Westcombe Lodge, Wimbledon. On evening lie was found with his clothing in flames, having apparently fallen into the fireplace. He was seventy-eight years of age. Mr. Mudford was one of tho great journalists of the Victorian age. He made his reputation by f admirable work on a special mission to Jamaicii, in the case of Governor Eyre, in 1865. In 1873 he became/manager of the "Standard," in 1876 succeeded to the editor's chair, and two years later was appointed by the will of the proprietor, Mr. Johnstone, editor and manager for life or until his resignation.

He had much of tho force of character, boldness, and independence of Delane, most famous of Victorian editors, and he made the "Standard" a great power. His coups were numerous, among them the first announcement of Mr. Gladstone's conversion to Homo Rule. , He had a very proper idea of his own dignity. When a Cabinet Minister, Lord Carnarvon, called at the office on urgent business to see him the Minister was told that Mr. Mudford was'at home. Hurrying to his private house, Lord Carnarvon sent in his oard, expecting to be instantly received, but Mr. Mudford's voice was heard plainly giviiig the message: "Tell the Earl of Carnarvon that the editor of the 'Standard' is at dinner." He was curiously shy, was never photographed or interviewed, and in his later years he studiously avoided being at tho office at night. An olaborate system of mounted messengers had to be established to take him his proofs. He disliked most modern inventions, and above all others, perhaps, the telephone, a foible which somewhat embarrassed the staff. Some of these will remember, however, the pride with which he announced on the eve of the Diamond Jubilee the "great secret" that the "Standard" next day would be illustrated' for the first time. Withal he was a kindly and a generous man. To ono of his special correspondents, whose work he particularly admired, he sent a cheque for £2000. Those who served him well were certain of warm encouragement, and he was a- discriminating judge. From the day he retired his famous old newspaper went on the downhill road, and only a few months ago it expired. That event must have broken his warm heart.