Hartley Withers (1867–1950) was an English financial journalist and author, editor of The Economist from 1916 to 1921.
He was born at Aigburth, the son of Henry Hartley Withers, a bank manager and stockbroker, and his wife Jane Livingston Lowndes, daughter of Matthew Dobson Lowndes; the educationist Harry Livingston Withers was his elder brother. He was educated at Westminster School, and matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford in 1886. He graduated in literae humaniores in 1890.[1][2][3]
After teaching and working in a stockbrokers, Withers joined The Times, in 1894, going into its City office.[1] According to Frederick Harcourt Kitchin, three men dominated London financial journalism at the beginning of the 20th century, a time at which it was still largely anonymous. Besides Withers and himself, Kitchin nominated as the third Arthur William Kiddy (1868–1950).[4][5] Withers was at The Times to 1910, becoming City editor. Leaving for The Morning Post, he then in 1911 went into Seligman Bros., the London branch of J. & W. Seligman & Co.[1]
Withers succeeded Francis Hirst as editor of The Economist in 1916, and was replaced in 1921 by Walter Layton. He then concentrated on writing, where he was a prolific book author. His economic views were orthodox of the sound money school.[1]
