Gerald Teasdale Fowler(1 January 1935 – 1 May 1993), commonly known asGerry Fowler,was a BritishLabour Partypolitician and university academic.
Gerry Fowler | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament forThe Wrekin | |
| In office 28 February 1974 – 7 April 1979 | |
| Preceded by | Anthony Trafford |
| Succeeded by | Warren Hawksley |
| In office 31 March 1966 – 29 May 1970 | |
| Preceded by | William Yates |
| Succeeded by | Anthony Trafford |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gerald Teasdale Fowler 1 January 1935 |
| Died | 1 May 1993(aged 58) |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Labour |
Early life and education
editFowler was the son of James A. Fowler (died 1964) ofLong Buckby,Northamptonshire,[1]and his wife Alfreda.[2]
Fowler was educated atNorthamptonGrammar School(where he was a friend ofBernard Donoughue),Lincoln College, Oxford,andFrankfurt University.
Academic career
editFowler had an extensive career in university education outside parliament. He was a lecturer in classics atLancaster University,from 1964 to 1966 until he entered the House of Commons in 1966. He was assistant director ofHuddersfield Polytechnicfrom 1970 to 1972, visiting professor at theUniversity of Strathclydefrom 1970 to 1974, Professor of Educational Studies at theOpen Universityfrom 1972 to 1974,[1]associate professor of government atBrunel Universityfrom 1977 to 1980, then deputy director ofPreston Polytechnicfrom 1980 to 1981.[3]Ultimately he was rector of thePolytechnic of East Londonfrom 1982 to 1992.[4]
Political career
editHe was a councillor onOxford City Council1960–64, branch secretary of theOxfordbranch ofASSETand a visiting lecturer at Lancaster University 1964–1966.
Fowler contestedBanburyat the1964 general election.At the1966 general election,he was elected asMember of Parliamentfor the marginal seat ofThe Wrekin,with a majority of 846 votes and poster slogan of "follow Fowler"[4]but lost it at the1970 electionto the Conservative candidateAnthony ('Tony') Trafford.He regained his seat at the next opportunity inFebruary 1974and held it inOctober 1974.However, at the1979 general electionhe was defeated again, this time by theConservativeWarren Hawksley.
After two years as a Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Technology, Fowler was the Minister of State for Education and Science from 1969 to 1970. He was there again for spells in 1974 and 1976, in between which times he was Minister of State for thePrivy Council Officefrom 1974 to 1976.
Fowler, who lived inWellington, Shropshire[5]within his constituency, also served in local government in the area as a member ofWrekin District Council,from 1973 to 1976, serving as the council's leader in 1973–74, and also sat inShropshire County Councilfrom 1979 to 1985.[3]
Personal life
editHe was twice married. Firstly in 1968 to Julie, daughter of Wilfrid Brining ofSlough,[1]and secondly in 1982 to Lorna, daughter of William Lloyd, ofPreston, Lancashire.[6]
Fowler died ofcancerat his home inRegent's Park,London,[4]on 1 May (coincidentallyLabour Day) 1993 aged 58, and was cremated atGolders Green Crematorium.[2]
References
edit- ^abcKelly's Handbook 1977.Kelly's Directories Ltd. p. 527.
- ^ab"Shropshire Star". 6 May 1993. p. 31.His death notice.
- ^abWho's Who, 1992.A. and C. Black. p. 645.
- ^abc"Wrekin's former MP dies at 58".Shropshire Star.3 May 1993. p. 1.
- ^Kelly's Handbook, 1977.Address given as in St Chad's Close, Wellington.
- ^Who's Who, 1992.The first marriage is not mentioned in Who's Who of that year.
- Times Guide to the House of Commons 1979
- Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "W" (part 5)