Deryck Abel

Deryck Robert Endsleigh Abel (September 1918–13 February 1965) was a British author and political activist.

Abel sutdied at Tottenham County School the London School of Economics and London University.[1] He fought in World War II, losing a leg.[2] After the war, Abel became active in the Liberal Party, standing unsuccessfully in St Albans at the 1950 general election[1] and Torquay in 1951.[3] He was also active in the Free Trade Union, edited and wrote for the Free Trader and authored a number of books.[1]

During the 1950s, Abel was a leading proponent of the construction of a Channel Tunnel, linking Britain with France.[4] From 1957 to 1959, he served as Chairman of the Liberal Party.[5] He also stood unsuccessfully in Worthing at the 1959 general election.[6]

In 1959, Abel resigned from the Free Trade Union and the Free Trader, following their takeover by supporters of Oliver Smedley.[5] He married Betty, a lecturer and member of the editorial staff of the Contemporary Review,[2] a publication of which he served as editor from 1960 to 1965.[7] He died around this time, his health never having recovered from his wartime experiences.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 'The Times Guide to the House of Commons (1951), p.102
  2. 1 2 3 Richard Mullen, "Betty Abel, 1916-1996", Contemporary Review, April 1996
  3. ↑ 'The Times Guide to the House of Commons (1959), p.110
  4. ↑ Books Ca-Ch, Oakwood Press and Video Library
  5. 1 2 John Meadowcroft and Jaime Edwards, "Liberals and the New Right", Journal of Liberal History (2005)
  6. ↑ "Obituary: Mr Deryck Abel", The Guardian, 15 February 1965
  7. ↑ Magazine Data: Page 83
Party political offices
Preceded by
Geoffrey Acland		 Chairman of the Liberal Party
1957–1959 		Succeeded by
Leonard Behrens
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