Richard Dimbleby

Summary

Name:	Frederick Richard Dimbleby CBE
Born:	25 May 1913
Place:	Near Richmond
Died:	22 Dec 1965
Profession:	Journalist and Broadcaster
Educated:	Mill Hill School, London
Famous for:	Richard Dimbleby (1913–1965) was one of Britain’s most influential journalists and broadcasters and a pioneering voice of the BBC. He first gained prominence as a war correspondent during the Second World War, reporting from the front lines across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. In 1945 he became the first journalist to broadcast from inside the concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, delivering a powerful eyewitness account of the conditions there. After the war, Dimbleby became a central figure in British broadcasting. He provided the BBC’s television commentary for major national events, including the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, and hosted the current affairs programme Panorama from 1955 until his death. Known for his authoritative voice and calm reporting style, Dimbleby helped shape modern broadcast journalism. His legacy continued through his sons, David Dimbleby and Jonathan Dimbleby, who also became prominent broadcasters, the Dimbleby Lectures and the Cancer Fund set up in his memory. Today he is remembered as a pioneer of television journalism whose reporting brought major world events directly into British homes.
Windlesora:

Images

Curator's Notes

Visit the Richard Dimbleby Cancer Fund website.
BBC Website – “1945: Richard Dimbleby describes Belsen“.
“Richard Dimbleby – Broadcaster” website by Leonard Miall (based upon the book of the same name now hosted on the World Radio History website).

Curator's References

Commemorative plaques on the RBWM website.

Richard Dimbleby on the Richard Dimbleby Cancer Fund website.

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