Sir Stephen Herbert Pierssené (9 August 1899 - 29 January 1966) was General Director of Conservative Central Office between 1945 and 1957 and credited with reviving the Conservative Party’s fortunes in the years following World War II.[1][2] In conjunction with Frederick Marquis, 1st Earl of Woolton, he was instrumental in the successful re-election of Winston Churchill as Prime Minister in 1951.[1]
Sir Stephen Herbert Pierssené | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 9 August 1899 |
| Died | 29 January 1966 (aged 66) |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | St John's School, Leatherhead |
| Alma mater | Royal Military Academy Sandhurst |
Piersenné’s obituary in The Times described him as ‘a modest and painstaking man, with shrewd judgment, a voracious appetite for work and a flair for organization’.[1]
Life
editStephen Herbert Pierssené was born on 9 August 1899, the son of the Rev. R. Pierssené of Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire.[1] He was educated at St John's School, Leatherhead and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.[1] He was commissioned into the Queen's Royal Regiment and served in France towards the end of World War I where he was wounded.[1] He later joined the Intelligence Corps before resigning his commission in 1922 with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and was after appointed Conservative Party agent at Rugby.[1]
In 1930, Pierssené was appointed Conservative Central Party agent for Yorkshire.[1] He resigned this position in 1935 to enter business with Brotherton & Co., a chemical manufacturer based in Leeds.[1] He became a director of the firm in 1936, the same year in which he joined the Territorial Army.[1] During World War II he was brigade major of anti-aircraft brigades in Orkney and Coventry before commanding an anti-aircraft regiment.[1]
After World War II he returned to politics.[1] In 1947 Pierssené was appointed General Director of Conservative Central Office by Ralph Assheton, 1st Baron Clitheroe.[1] In conjunction with Frederick Marquis, 1st Earl of Woolton, he was instrumental in the re-election of Winston Churchill as Prime Minister in 1951.[1] He remained General Director until 1957 when he retired on the grounds of ill health.[1]
In 1927, Pierssené married Avice Bullock with whom he had two sons.[2] He married secondly, Maureen Ava Suttie with whom he had a daughter.[2] Sir Stephen Pierssené died on 29 January 1966 at the age of 66.[1]