George Douglas Howard Cole (September 25, 1889 - January 14, 1959) was an English journalist and economist, closely associated with the development of Fabianism.

Educated at St. Paul's School, Cole became involved in Fabianism while studying at Balliol College, Oxford, joining the Fabian Society executive under the sponsorship of Sidney Webb.

During World War I, Cole was a conscientious objector and his involvement in the campaign against conscription brought him into contact with Margaret Postgate whom he married in 1918. The couple both worked for the Fabian Society for the next six years before moving to Oxford where Cole started writing for the Manchester Guardian. During these years, he also authored several economic and historical works including biographies of William Cobbett and Robert Owen. He became reader in economics at University College, Oxford and, in 1944, professor of social and political theory. He was a powerful influence on the life of the young Harold Wilson whom he taught, worked with and convinced to join the Labour Party.

Cole and his wife also co-authored a number of mystery novels such as The Murder at Crome House (1947).

Bibliography

• Cole, G. D. H. & Page Arnot, R (1917) Trade Unionism on the Railways
• Cole, G. D. H. (1918) The Payment of Wages
• Cole, G. D. H. & Cole, M. I. (1918) The Regulation of Wages During and After the War
• Cole, G. D. H. (1923) The World of Labour
• Cole, G. D. H. (1925) William Cobbett
• Cole, G. D. H. (1925) Robert Owen

• Cole, M. I. (1971) The Life of G. D. H. Cole
• Wright, A (1979) G. D. H. Cole and Socialist Democracy ISBN 0198274211

External links

• Fabianism an essay by G.D.H. Cole (http://www.wcml.org.uk/group/fabianism.html)