Famous British Newspaper Columnists

Christopher Hitchens was an advocate for New Atheism and a harsh critic of religion and of famous personalities such as Bill Clinton and Mother Teresa. He authored and edited many books on socio-political issues. As a journalist, he wrote for well-known publications such as New Statesman and The Weekly Standard.

Chiefly known as a food writer, Giles Coren has been serving as a columnist for London based daily newspaper, The Times, since the age of 24. Named Food and Drink Writer of the Year at the British Press Awards, he has also authored several books and appeared on several popular television productions. Currently, he also hosts a weekly radio program.

British journalist, social critic, and satirist Malcolm Muggeridge was Labour Party MP, apart from being a British spy during World War II. Prior to being part of the British intelligence, he had been a lecturer in Cairo. He had also been an editor for Punch and had penned several books.

Patrick Robinson is a British writer and novelist. He also works as a newspaper columnist and has contributed to several popular publications. His non-fiction book True Blue: The Oxford Boat Race Mutiny, which he co-wrote with Dan Topolski, was named William Hill Sports Book of the Year in 1989.

Dominic Sandbrook is a British author, columnist, historian, and television presenter. Before establishing himself as a writer, Sandbrook worked at the University of Sheffield where he taught history. His writing career received a boost when he was included in Waterstones' 25 Authors for the Future list in 2007. Since then, Dominic Sandbrook has contributed to publications like the Daily Mail.

Zoe Williams is a Welsh journalist, columnist, and author. She is best known for her association with the popular newspaper The Guardian, where she contributes as a political, lifestyle, and wellness journalist. Zoe Williams has also contributed to publications like the Evening Standard and NOW Magazine. At the 2010 WorkWorld Media Awards, Zoe Williams was adjudged Columnist of the Year.

Nigel Dempster was a British author, journalist, diarist, and broadcaster. Dempster is best remembered for his columns in popular publications like the Daily Mail, the Daily Express, and Private Eye magazine. Dempster was renowned for his celebrity gossip columns that contributed immensely to the success of many publications. At the end of his career, Dempster suffered from progressive supranuclear palsy.

English novelist and playwright, Keith Spencer Waterhouse is noted for his ability to create comedies even out of unpleasant situations. Leaving school at fifteen, he eventually became a columnist in established London papers like Punch and Daily Mirror. He earned international fame with his second novel, Billy Liar. He is also known for his campaigning against color bar and  against decline in the standards of modern English.

John Morley was a British writer, newspaper editor, and politician. Morley served as the Chief Secretary for Ireland from February to July 1886. Between 1905 and 1910, he was the Secretary of State for India. John Morley is best remembered for his writings, many of which have been published. Morley is credited with inspiring influential figures like Mahomed Ali Jinnah.

Marjorie Proops was a British journalist and advice columnist best remembered for her Dear Marje column for the Daily Mirror. Apart from being an adviser, Marjorie Proops also used her campaign to popularize numerous causes. She also appeared on the popular radio show Just a Minute. In 1984, she was named Woman of the Year for her contributions and efforts.

Hugo Young was a British columnist and journalist. He contributed immensely to the success of The Guardian, where he worked as a senior political commentator. He also played a major role in the development of The Sunday Times, where he was the chief writer from 1967 to 1977. He also served as the publication's political editor from 1973 to 1984.           

Lynda Lee-Potter was a British journalist best remembered for her role as a columnist for the popular newspaper Daily Mail. A popular writer, Lee-Potter was adjudged Columnist of the Year in 1984 and 2001. In 1987 and 1993, she was named Feature Writer of the Year. Lee-Potter's most cherished Woman Writer of the Year was presented to her in 1989.     

Alan Watkins was a British political columnist who worked for several London-based newspapers and magazines for more than five decades. He is best remembered for his association with The Observer, where he worked from 1976 to 1993. Alan Watkins is credited with coining and popularizing several phrases, such as chattering classes. 

Kathleen Tynan was a Canadian-British journalist and screenwriter. The daughter of prominent Canadian war correspondent Matthew Halton, she followed in her father’s footsteps and pursued a journalistic career. She started writing novels and screenplays following her marriage to theater critic Kenneth Tynan. She also published theater and literary criticism. She died from cancer in 1995. 

Gwyn Thomas was a Welsh writer, journalist, and radio broadcaster. He lost his mother when he was a child and suffered from ill-health. Despite these difficulties, he won a scholarship to study at the University of Oxford. After graduation, he embarked on a teaching and writing career. He published several novels and also wrote for radio shows.  

Mollie Patricia Panter-Downes was a British novelist and journalist. Interested in writing from a young age, she wrote her first novel, The Shoreless Sea, when she was just 16. It became a bestseller and was serialized in The Daily Mirror. She later began writing a column for The New Yorker. Her columns were later collected and published as books.