I . Angus Wilson
(1913–91)
a British writer of novels and short stories, born in South Africa. His books, including Hemlock and After (1952) and Anglo-Saxon Attitudes (1956), are known for their humorous descriptions of unusual characters in the different social classes. He was made a knight in 1980.
II . Harold Wilson
(1916–95)
an English Labour politician who was twice Prime Minister (1964–70 and 1974–6). His government aimed to make Britain a more modern country, encouraging more people to be involved in science and technology, but had to face serious economic problems. Many people were surprised when he resigned in 1976. It was later discovered that MI5 had been dishonestly trying to bring down Wilson’s government during the 1960s and 1970s. He was made a knight in 1976 and a life peer in 1983.
III . Jacqueline Wilson
(1945– )
an English writer and journalist who wrote for the girls’ magazine Jackie , which was named after her, for many years and has written many popular children’s books including The Story of Tracy Beaker (1992), Double Act (1996), Bad Girls (1997) and Buried Alive (1999).
IV . Woodrow Wilson
(1856–1924)
the 28th US President (1913–21). He was a Democrat and is remembered as an honest man who worked hard for world peace. Earlier in his career he had been President of Princeton University (1902–10) and Governor of New Jersey (1911–3). As US President, he tried to keep the US out of World War I , but he finally sent US soldiers to join the Allied forces in 1917, saying that ‘the world must be made safe for democracy’. After the war Wilson’s Fourteen Points were used as the basis for the peace agreement, and he was given the Nobel Prize for peace in 1919. He also created the idea for the League of Nations and was greatly disappointed when Congress decided that the US should not join it. Wilson’s government also established the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Trade Commission .