Portrait of Baron Beveridge

Ross carried out a number of cartoons of notable political personalities in the 1950s. William Henry Beveridge, 1st Baron Beveridge (1879-1963), was an economist of progressive views and a well-known social reformer. He held a number of offices and posts prior to his elevation to the peerage: Sub-Warden, Toynbee Hall, in London’s East End, 1903; barrister, Inner Temple 1904; entered the Civil Service 1908 and worked closely with David Lloyd George in laying foundations of social service legislation before 1914; Director of Employment Exchanges 1909-16; CB 1916; Director, London School of Economics 1919-37; KCB 1919; Master, University College, Oxford 1937-44; Chairman, Committee on Social Insurance and Allied Services 1941 - almost the whole of his recommendations (the "Beveridge Report") regarding the social security system were accepted by the war time Coalition Government and later constituted the framework of the Welfare State legislation. He was Member of Parliament (Liberal) for Berwick-upon-Tweed 1944-45 and authored a number of books, notably ‘Full Employment in a Free Society’. He was created 1st Baron Beveridge in 1946 and upon his death the Barony of Beveridge became extinct.