Biography of Edgar FIFOOT
[Ref. P.22]
Ancestors
Profile
Index for FIFOOT
Biography of Edgar FIFOOT
[Ref. P.22]
Profile
Index for FIFOOT
Edgar Fifoot was born about 1859 in Cardiff, Glamorganshire, one of the ten children of William and Jane Fifoot. In 1861 the family were living at 8 Crichton Steet in cardiff and by 1871 they had moved to number 32.
According to the census of 1881, Edgar was still living with his family who had now moved to 60 Partridge Road in Roath, Cardiff. He was working as a Clerk in the offices of the Western Mail newspaper.
In 1885, Edgar married Emily Preston of Roath in Cardiff. She was training to be a teacher. The couple went to live at 26 Albany Road in Roath. By 1886 Edgar had been promoted to the position of Cashier, the same year as daughter Constance Muriel was born. The census of 1891 shows that the family had moved along Albany Road to number 41 and now had a servant living in the house. Son Edgar Lyn was born there later that year.
The Western Mail was being run by Lascelles Carr, an eccentric but clever man. In 1891 he was despatched by the owners to edit the News of the World newspaper which ailing badly. They took control of the paper in May that year and Edgar was despatched to London to take charge of general business. The paper quickly began to prosper and on 1 January 1892 Edgar became General Manager also Secretary to the Board of Directors. He was also described as another rather eccentric character, ever intent on saving the company's money and using public transport rather than a taxi.
He took his family to London and they settled at 8 Greenhill Park in Harlesden, Middlesex where daughter Emily Beryl was born in 1898. This was still their address according to the census of 1901 although the children were not present at that time. There were, however, two servants, one of which was a nurse.
Around 1908, the family moved to 50 Nicoll Road in Harlesden and the census of 1911 shows daughter Muriel and son Edgar still living at home. The household also suported a cook and a domestic servant. Edgar made a voyage from Liverpool to USA aboard RMS Mauretania arriving at Ellis Island on 19 September 1908.
In the period 1909/1910, Edgar became a Director thus rescinding his position as Secretary. He had become prosperous with the success of the newspaper, having taken shares in the company at an early stage. He was said to be "a nice man" and this was reflected in a letter of reference he wrote for his nephew Sydney Folker.
In the early 1920's, Edgar and Emily took residence in the elegant Coburg Court Hotel in Bayswater Road at the back of Kensington Gardens. The hotel encompassed the entrance to Queensway underground station.
On 16 October 1923, Edgar was granted Freedom of the City of London in the Company of Stationers by virtue of his position as a newspaper Director and Manager. He retired as General Manager on 1 July 1927.
Emily passed away in Eastbourne 1937 and Edgar was joint beneficiary along with son Edgar Lyn. Edgar died two years later on 21 February 1939 at 9 Carlton Road in Putney, Surrey. He left £186,383 10s 6d jointly to his son Edgar Lyn and the Government. He was buried in Twickenham cemetery and an obituary in the News of the World on 26 February 1939 outlined his successful career.
His directorship expired with his death. A book titled The News of the World Story chronicles the history of the newspaper and Edgar's involvement is included. After Edgar's death, Emsley Carr, nephew of Lascelles, addressed the next board meeting, speaking emotionally of their association lasting over 50 years. He said "Night and day, year in and year out, he laboured to build up the commercial fabric of the News of the World with such success that he saw the newspaper grow from small beginnings to a position of unique strength in the newspaper world. It is not too much to say that he gave his life to the News of the World".
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