Deane, backbone of Economist's economics coverage for four decades

The Economist eulogizes Marjorie Deane, who was the backbone of the magazine’s economics coverage from 1947 to 1989. She died last week at the age of 94.

The Economist writes, “In the course of her long career she made two fundamental contributions to the paper. The first was to restore an emphasis on accuracy that is central to its credibility today. The second was to spot and nourish talent. As a boss, the gimlet-eyed Miss Deane could be ‘formidable’; but she sent her devoted protégés out into top jobs in journalism and finance.

“After Marjorie retired from the paper, aged 75, she continued to work—for GISE, a consultancy, reviving Fin Rep for a time under its auspices, and for the World Gold Council. In 1994 she produced (with Robert Pringle) a good book on central banking. And in 1998, to further financial journalism, she set up a foundation in her name whose editorial internships and student grants are much sought after.

“Marjorie’s contribution was widely recognised. She received a special prize for her journalism from the Wincott Foundation in 1979, and in 2006 she was awarded an MBE. In typical Deane fashion, she took the bull by the horns in receiving the latter: ‘I gather you don’t much like us journalists, Ma’am,’ she said to the queen—from which blanket condemnation Her Majesty said she was pleased to exempt City scribblers.”

Read more here.