Howard French (British journalist)

Born in Southgate, French grew up as a Roman Catholic and studied at Ealing Priory School. He joined the Sunday Dispatch as a reporter in 1936, and soon discovered that the environmentalist Grey Owl, supposedly a Native American, had been born in England as Archie Belaney. He served in the Royal Naval Reserve during World War II, then returned to the Dispatch.[1]

French later moved to the Daily Sketch and in 1962 became its editor. He served until 1969, when he joined the board of Associated Newspapers.[1] He was given control of editorial development, and in 1971 he co-ordinated the merger of the Sketch with the Daily Mail. He retired in 1977, but was involved in the 1982 launch of the Mail on Sunday.[1]