William
Hewins,
the son of Samuel Hewins, an
iron-merchant, was born on 11th May 1865. He was educated at Wolverhampton
Grammar School and Pembroke College,
Oxford. After graduating with a degree in mathematics, Hewins worked
as a university extension lecturer.
Sidney Webb and Beatrice
Webb met Hewins when they were at the Bodleian Library researching
their book on the history of trade unions. When
the Webbs founded the
London
School of Economics
(LSE) in 1895 Hewins accepted their offer to became the institution's
first director. He held the post until 1903 when he resigned to work
for Joseph Chamberlain and his tariff
reform campaign.
Hewins unsuccessfully contested Shipley (1910) and Middleton (1911)
but was elected as the MP for Hereford in May 1912. David
Lloyd George appointed Hewins as Under-Secretary of State for
the Colonies in 1917.
Hewins retired from the House of Commons
at the end of the First World War. As well as
providing articles for the Encyclopaedia
Britannica,
Hewins had several books published including Trade
in Balance
(1924), Empire
Restored
(1927) and the Apologia
of an Imperialist
(1929).
William
Hewins
died on 17th November, 1931.
(1)
Beatrice Webb, diary entry (8th November,
1896)
Hewins,
who expected great things, has been depressed and irritable and it
has taken all Sidney's good temper and tact to keep things going smooth.
Hewins is a sanguine enthusiast, pulls hard and strong when he feels
the stream with him, but I doubt whether he has the staying power
for bad times. And he has a small-minded little wife always whispering
discontent into his ear, suggesting that he is being put upon and
that the enterprise will not succeed.
(2)
Beatrice Webb, diary entry (4th January,
1901)
Every Tuesday he lunches with us to discuss the affairs of the
LSE. He is original minded and full of energy and faith. Shaw always
declares he is a fanatic. So he is. But he is also a born manipulator.
He is a churchman and an ardent believer in the scientific method
in economics and politics.
(3)
Beatrice Webb, diary entry (10th November,
1902)
There are now five hundred students. Hewins of course is a little
bit over-confident and elated, but that is his temperament. He and
Sidney, and to a lesser extent, I myself, make a good working trio.
The whole internal organization of the LSE is left to him with suggestions
from Sidney. The whole financial side is in Sidney's hands, whilst
my domain has been roping in influential supporters from among old
friends and connections. Every Tuesday Hewins lunches here and we
discuss the affairs of the LSE in all its aspects. He consults Sidney
about the curriculum, Sidney tells him the requirements for securing
LCC Technical Education Board and University support.
(4)
Beatrice Webb, diary entry (December, 1902)
Hewins wanted to jump Sidney into increasing his salary from £600
(it was raised from £400 only six months ago) to £800. Sidney
agreed to an extra £100 to cover unusual expenses, but refused
to make even this permanent. So long as nearly the whole income comes
from the LCC (either through the University, £2,400, or through
the TEB £1,200) he feels that it would risk all to double the
salary of the Director, a personal friend, in twelve months. It is,
of course, a delicate position. The LSE has had an extraordinary amount
of support from the LCC owing to Sidney's influence. But most councillors
regard it as his 'fad' and have acquiesced not on the ground of their
own faith in the institution but on account of their confidence in
him. Hewins, who has a swelled head over the increase of students
and visions of the whole City coming to be educated under his direction,
was quite improperly insistent and had to be gently but firmly reminded
of the actual dependence of the LSE on Sidney's influence in the LCC.
(5)
Beatrice Webb, diary entry (18th November,
1903)
Hewins sends in his resignation of the Directorship of the School
of Economics. So ends our close relationship with this remarkable
man, remarkable for audacity, enterprise, zeal and skill in presenting
facts and manipulating persons, most remarkable for confidence in
his own powers, more than confidence - an overestimation of them.
These qualities have served us well in building up, from nothing,
the reputation of the LSE, in steering its fortunes through the indifference
and hostility of the London academic and business world, in obtaining
and keeping the co-operation of men of diverse views and conflicting
interests.
