John Beavan, Baron Ardwick

John Cowburn Beavan, Baron Ardwick (9 April 1910 – 18 August 1994), was a British journalist and politician. He served as a Member of the European Parliament and was a life peer in the House of Lords.

Born in Ardwick, Manchester, Beavan's parents were Silas Morgan Beavan (1881–1964) and Emily Esther Hussey (1882–1972). His father was of Welsh descent and worked as a miner and later as a greengrocer. His mother was involved in local politics, serving as a Manchester City Councillor, alderman, and justice of the peace. She was also a campaigner for women’s rights. Beavan was educated at Manchester Grammar School.

His early journalistic career included positions at various newspapers, notably the Manchester Evening Chronicle, the Blackpool Times, and the Evening Standard. In 1943, he became the editor of the Manchester Evening News. From 1946 to 1955, he served as London editor of The Guardian. Between 1960 and 1962, Beavan was the editor of the Daily Herald. Subsequently, he became a political advisor to the Mirror Group, a role he held until 1976.

In the political arena, Beavan was associated with the Labour Party. He was elected as a Member of the European Parliament, serving from 1975 to 1979. On 16 January 1970, he was created a life peer as Baron Ardwick, of Barnes in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, by Prime Minister Harold Wilson. His appointment was intended to enable him to represent journalism in the House of Lords.

Regarding his personal life, Beavan married Gladys Jones in 1934. They adopted a daughter. Later, he had a relationship with Anne Symonds, a BBC World Service journalist, and was the father of Matthew Symonds. Matthew Symonds is the father of Carrie Symonds, who married Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

John Beavan died from cancer at Parkside Hospital in Wimbledon, London, on 18 August 1994, at the age of 84.