Alfred Arthur Hinchcliffe Denville (27 January 1876 – 23 March 1955[1]) was an English actor, theatre impresario and Conservative Party politician.

Denville, an actor by trade, ran one of the UK's leading repertory companies.[2] In 1924 Denville founded Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors in Northwood, London that is still in operation.[3]

As a politician Denville was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Newcastle upon Tyne Central seat from Sir Charles Trevelyan in the 1931 general election and held the seat until he was defeated in 1945. For a time he was associated with the far right of the Conservative Party, and during the 1930s was a leading member of the Friends of National Spain, which stressed support for Francisco Franco and anti-communism.[4] He had also declared himself to be an admirer of Benito Mussolini although, in keeping with a number of contemporary Tories who admired the southern European fascists, he was critical of Adolf Hitler.[5]

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References

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  1. ^ "The House of Commons Constituencies Beginning with 'N'". Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ "Obituary of Barry Denville". Archived from the original on 23 July 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2008.
  3. ^ Obituary of Joan Hirst[dead link]
  4. ^ Peter Barberis, John McHugh, Mike Tyldesley, Encyclopedia of British and Irish Political Organizations, 2002, p. 182
  5. ^ Richard Griffiths, Fellow Travellers on the Right, Oxford University Press, 1983, p. 263
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Newcastle upon Tyne Central
19311945
Succeeded by