The Baroness Lee of Asheridge | |
---|---|
Minister for the Arts | |
In office 20 October 1964 – 19 June 1970 | |
Prime Minister | Harold Wilson |
Preceded by | Office created |
Succeeded by | David Eccles |
Member of Parliament for Cannock | |
In office 5 July 1945 – 29 May 1970 | |
Preceded by | William Murdoch Adamson |
Succeeded by | Patrick Cormack |
Member of Parliament for North Lanarkshire | |
In office 21 March 1929 – 7 October 1931 | |
Preceded by | Alexander Sprot |
Succeeded by | William Anstruther-Gray |
Personal details | |
Born | Janet Lee 3 November 1904 Lochgelly, Fife, Scotland |
Died | 16 November 1988 | (aged 84)
Citizenship | United Kingdom |
Political party | Labour |
Spouse | |
Alma mater | University of Edinburgh |
Occupation | Politician |
Known for | Playing a leading role in the foundation of the Open University |
Janet Lee, Baroness Lee of Asheridge, PC LLD HonFRA (3 November 1904 – 16 November 1988), known as Jennie Lee, was a Scottish politician. She was a Labour Member of Parliament from a by-election in 1929 until 1931 and then from 1945 to 1970.
As Minister for the Arts in Harold Wilson's government of 1964–1970, she played a leading role in the foundation of the Open University working directly with Harold Wilson to establish the principle of open access: Enrolment as a student of the University should be open to everyone … irrespective of educational qualifications, and no formal entrance requirement should be imposed.[1]
She was married to the Welsh Labour politician Aneurin Bevan from 1934 until his death in 1960.