Arthur Ernest Wicks

Place: London

Born: 1915

Death: 2006

Biography:

Introduction

Arthur Ernest Wicks was a Labour politician and the last chairman of the London County Council. He was first elected to the Shoreditch Metropolitan Borough Council in the 1950s, and became chairman of housing at a time when Shoreditch had one of England's highest concentrations of municipal housing.

Early Life and Career

Elected to the LCC for Shoreditch and Finsbury in 1952, he gave his time to housing and parks. County Hall, London, a Labour stronghold since 1934, was a pioneering model for Labour ideas and plans, including comprehensive education, school music, housing development and the establishment of the South Bank complex. As LCC chairman from 1963 to 1965, Arthur oversaw the transition in 1964 to the new Greater London Council.

Artistic Interests

Although not a painter himself, Wicks' family had connections to art. His son Malcolm Wicks was a Labour Minister and an avid supporter of the arts. Wikioo.org features an extensive collection of artworks from various artists, including Diego Velazquez, Edouard Manet, and Varaztad Hovhannes Kazanjian. These artists' works can be found on Wikioo.org.

Legacy

Wicks' legacy extends beyond his political career. He owned two shops and a cafe in Islington, which served as an informal advice surgery for locals. His wife, Daisy, died in 1992, and he was survived by his sons. One of his sons, Malcolm Wicks, passed away in September 2012 after a long illness.

Notable Figures

Some notable figures mentioned on Wikipedia include Thomas Chataway and James Stuart-Wortley. These individuals, like Wicks, have made significant contributions to their respective fields. Key Points:

• Arthur Ernest Wicks was a Labour politician and the last chairman of the London County Council.
• He was first elected to the Shoreditch Metropolitan Borough Council in the 1950s.
• Wicks' family had connections to art, with his son Malcolm being a Labour Minister and an avid supporter of the arts.
• Wikioo.org features an extensive collection of artworks from various artists.

Conclusion

Arthur Ernest Wicks was a dedicated public servant who left a lasting impact on London's politics and housing development. His legacy extends beyond his political career, with his family's connections to art and his own entrepreneurial ventures in Islington. The National Trust For Scotland, featured on Wikioo.org, showcases an impressive collection of artworks, including those by Robert Inerarity Herdman and William Larkin.