Sir Henry Channon (1897–1958,) known as Chips Channon, was an American-born British politician, author, and diarist known for his influential social and political writings. His diaries provide a vivid account of British high society and political affairs, remaining a key historical resource.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Channon studied at the University of Chicago before moving to England (1920.) He later attended Christ Church, Oxford, where he studied French. Immersing himself in London’s elite circles, he developed close ties with politicians and aristocrats. His political career began in 1935 when he was elected Conservative MP for Southend. He served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Rab Butler at the Foreign Office (1938) but never attained ministerial office, partly due to his Chamberlain faction ties.
Channon is best remembered for his diaries, first published as Chips: The Diaries of Sir Henry Channon (1967.) A more comprehensive edition, edited by Simon Heffer, was released in three volumes (2021–22.) His writings offer a candid, often controversial, perspective on mid-20th-century British politics and society.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Henry Channon
There is nowhere in the world where sleep is so deep as in the libraries of the House of Commons.
—Henry Channon
Topics: Sleep
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