# Clare Hollingworth

> British journalist (1911-2017)

**Wikidata**: [Q1113742](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1113742)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clare_Hollingworth)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/clare-hollingworth

## Summary
Clare Hollingworth was a British journalist (1911-2017) best known for breaking the news of the outbreak of World War II in 1939. She had a distinguished career as a war correspondent, covering conflicts across the globe for major publications including The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, and The Economist.

## Biography
- Born: October 10, 1911
- Nationality: British
- Education: University College London
- Known for: Breaking the news of World War II's outbreak and distinguished career as a war correspondent
- Employer(s): The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, The Economist, Libération
- Field(s): Journalism, war correspondence

## Contributions
Clare Hollingworth's most significant contribution was breaking the news of Germany's invasion of Poland in August 1939, which marked the beginning of World War II. This scoop came just a week after she started her first job as a journalist. Throughout her career, she covered numerous conflicts including those in Vietnam, Algeria, the Middle East, and South Asia. She authored several books including "There's a German Just Behind You" (1945) and "Mao and the Men Against Him" (1985). Her work appeared in major publications across the UK and internationally, helping to shape public understanding of global conflicts throughout the 20th century.

## FAQs
What is Clare Hollingworth most famous for?
Clare Hollingworth is most famous for being the first journalist to report the outbreak of World War II in 1939, just a week after starting her first journalism job. She spotted German forces massing on the Polish border and broke the story that would change the course of history.

Where did Clare Hollingworth work during her career?
Clare Hollingworth worked for several major publications including The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, The Economist, and the French newspaper Libération. She built her career as an international correspondent, often working in conflict zones across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

What awards did Clare Hollingworth receive?
Clare Hollingworth was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her contributions to journalism. She also received recognition through the Hannen Swaffer Awards for her distinguished career in reporting.

## Why They Matter
Clare Hollingworth matters because she broke one of the most significant news stories of the 20th century - the outbreak of World War II - and went on to become one of the most respected war correspondents of her generation. Her fearless reporting from conflict zones around the world helped shape public understanding of major historical events. She paved the way for women in journalism, particularly in war reporting, at a time when the field was dominated by men. Her work demonstrated the crucial role of on-the-ground reporting in informing the public about global conflicts and their human impact.

## Notable For
- First journalist to report the outbreak of World War II in 1939
- Distinguished career as a war correspondent covering conflicts in Vietnam, Algeria, Middle East, and South Asia
- Author of several books including "There's a German Just Behind You" and "Mao and the Men Against Him"
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Recipient of Hannen Swaffer Awards
- Pioneered women's role in war journalism
- Reported for major publications including The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, The Economist, and Libération

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Clare Hollingworth was born on October 10, 1911, in Britain. She received her education at University College London, where she developed the foundation for her future career in journalism. Her early life experiences and education prepared her for the challenging career that lay ahead.

### Breaking the Biggest Story
In August 1939, just one week after starting her first journalism job at The Daily Telegraph, Hollingworth made history by breaking the news of Germany's invasion of Poland. While traveling near the German-Polish border, she spotted German forces massing on the Polish border - a sight that would change the course of history. Her report on August 29, 1939, was the first to alert the world to the impending outbreak of World War II. This scoop established her reputation as a journalist and set the tone for her future career covering conflicts around the world.

### Career as a War Correspondent
Following her groundbreaking World War II scoop, Hollingworth built a distinguished career as a war correspondent. She reported from Vietnam during the First Indochina War, covered the Algerian War of Independence, and reported on conflicts in the Middle East including the Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War. Her coverage extended to South Asia, where she reported on the Bangladesh Liberation War and other regional conflicts.

### Publications and Writing
Beyond her journalism, Hollingworth was also an accomplished author. She wrote "There's a German Just Behind You" (1945), drawing on her experiences during World War II. Later in her career, she published "Mao and the Men Against Him" (1985), a book about Chinese politics and leadership. Her writing appeared in major publications including The Guardian, The Economist, and the French newspaper Libération, demonstrating her international reach and influence.

### Recognition and Awards
Throughout her career, Hollingworth received significant recognition for her contributions to journalism. She was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), one of the highest honors in the British honors system. She also received the Hannen Swaffer Awards, which recognize excellence in journalism. These honors reflected her impact on the field and her distinguished career.

### Legacy and Influence
Clare Hollingworth's legacy extends beyond her individual scoops and reports. She helped pave the way for women in war journalism, demonstrating that women could report from conflict zones with the same skill and courage as their male counterparts. Her fearless approach to reporting from dangerous areas set a standard for war correspondents that continues to influence the field today. Her work helped shape public understanding of major historical events throughout the 20th century, from World War II to conflicts in Asia and the Middle East.

### Later Years and Death
Clare Hollingworth continued her work well into her later years, maintaining her passion for journalism and international affairs. She passed away on January 10, 2017, at the age of 105, leaving behind a remarkable legacy as one of the most important journalists of the 20th century. Her career spanned some of the most significant conflicts of the modern era, and her reporting helped inform public understanding of these crucial historical events.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/10/business/media/clare-hollingworth-reporter-who-broke-news-of-world-war-ii-dies-at-105.html)
2. [Clare Hollingworth obituary. TheGuardian.com. 2017](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/jan/10/clare-hollingworth-obituary)
3. [Celebrated war reporter Clare Hollingworth dies aged 105. TheGuardian.com. 2017](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/jan/10/celebrated-war-reporter-clare-hollingworth-dies-aged-105)
4. [Clare Hollingworth dies aged 105: Telegraph correspondent who broke the news of World War II passes away in Hong Kong. The Daily Telegraph. 2017](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/10/clare-hollingworth-dies-aged-105-telegraph-correspondent-broke/)
5. [Source](https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2017/01/10/mort-de-clare-hollingworth-auteure-du-scoop-sur-l-invasion-de-la-pologne-en-1939_5060603_3210.html)
6. [Source](http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/journalist-broke-story-start-world-war-ii-dies-105/)
7. [Source](http://www.city.ac.uk/arts-social-sciences/journalism/james-cameron-memorial-lecture/special-awards)
8. International Standard Name Identifier
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. CiNii Research
11. Find a Grave
12. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
13. BnF authorities
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. BBC Things