Philip Noel-Baker

British athlete and politician

Born: November 1, 1889 · Died: October 8, 1982

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Who was Philip Noel-Baker?

Philip John Noel-Baker, Baron Noel-Baker (born Philip John Baker; 1 November 1889 – 8 October 1982) was a British politician, diplomat, academic, athlete, and renowned campaigner for disarmament. Baker was born in Brondesbury Park, London, England, the sixth of seven children of Canadian-born Quaker Allen Baker and the Scottish-born Elizabeth Balmer Moscrip. His father had moved to England in 1876 to establish a manufacturing business, and served as a Progressive member of the London County Council from 1895 to 1906, and as a Liberal member of the House of Commons for East Finsbury from 1905 to 1918. He was a Labour Member of Parliament (UK) for 36 years, serving from 1929 to 1931 and again from 1936 to 1970, serving in several ministerial offices and the cabinet. He was created a life peer in 1977.

Historical significance

He carried the British team flag and won a silver medal for the 1500m run at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1959. Noel-Baker is the only person to have won an Olympic medal and received a Nobel Prize.

Sources and further reading

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MLA

“Philip Noel-Baker.” thisDay, thisday.info/people/philip-noel-baker/. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

APA

Philip Noel-Baker. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 8, 2026, from https://thisday.info/people/philip-noel-baker/

Chicago

“Philip Noel-Baker.” thisDay. Accessed October 8, 2026. https://thisday.info/people/philip-noel-baker/.

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