July 15

Born in Dublin in 1865, Alfred Harmsworth became one of the most influential figures in British journalism. He founded the Amalgamated Press in 1901, pioneering affordable magazines and newspapers for a mass audience. His creation of the Daily Mail in 1896 and the Daily Mirror in 1903 revolutionized modern journalism. Harmsworth’s business acumen built a media empire that dominated early 20th-century Britain. He served in government roles during World War I, shaping wartime propaganda efforts. In 1905 he was elevated to the peerage as 1st Viscount Northcliffe, cementing his status in British society. His legacy endures in the structure of modern news publishing.

Carmen Callil (1938–2022) was an Australian publisher and the visionary founder of Virago Press. She established the imprint in 1973 to promote women's writing and feminist literature. Under her leadership, Virago rediscovered and republished classic works by overlooked female authors. She worked tirelessly to amplify emerging voices and shaped literary discourse on gender. Callil's editorial vision helped make Virago a leading independent press. Her legacy endures in the continued success of the writers and books she championed.