Grimond, Jo(seph), Baron Grimond (1913–1993)

British Liberal politician, born in St Andrews, Scotland. As leader of the Liberal Party 1956–67, he aimed at making it ‘a new radical party to take the place of the Socialist Party as an alternative to Conservatism’. An old-style Whig and a man of culture and personal charm, he had a considerable influence on post-war British politics, although he never held a major public position. During his term of office, the number of Liberal seats in Parliament doubled.

He studied law, but after wartime service began a political career. It was his ill luck to become leader of the Liberal Party at a time when the Labour Party, in its ascendancy, was, with the Conservatives, squeezing the Liberals almost out of existence. The party might well have ceased to survive without his inspiration. However, when he passed it to Jeremy Thorpe in 1967 it was in much better shape. After Thorpe's resignation in 1976, Grimond became leader again for three months before handing over to David Steel.

He married Laura Bonham Carter, of the great Liberal dynasty, who was also politically active. He represented the remote Orkney and Shetland constituency for 33 years before entering the House of Lords in 1983.