Scottish journalist and war correspondent who reported from the front lines of World War II, providing firsthand accounts of the conflict. She was one of the first women to report from the battlefield, paving the way for future female war correspondents.
Evelyn Irons, a pioneering Scottish journalist, earned her place in history as the first female war correspondent to be decorated with the French Croix de Guerre. Her fearless reporting from the front lines of World War II and beyond left an indelible mark on the world of journalism.
Irons was born on June 17, 1900, in Govan, Glasgow, to Joseph Jones Irons, a stockbroker, and Edith Mary Latta or Irons. She graduated from Somerville College, Oxford, with a strong foundation in literature and language.
Irons' journalism career began at the Daily Mail, where she was initially assigned to the beauty page, despite having never worn makeup. After being fired for looking unfashionable, she moved to the Evening Standard, where she edited the women's interest pages. However, with the outbreak of World War II, Irons informed the news editor, "From now on, I'm working for you."
Undeterred by General Montgomery's objection to women reporters on the battlefield, Irons gained the support of French General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny and became one of the first journalists to reach liberated Paris. She was the first woman journalist to reach Hitler's Eagles Nest after its capture, where she helped herself to a bottle of Hitler's excellent Rhine wine.
In 1952, Irons traveled to the United States to cover the presidential election and subsequently settled near Brewster, New York. Her fearlessness and resourcefulness led her to break a news embargo on the overthrow of Guatemalan President Jacobo Arbenz Guzmán by hiring a mule to take her to Chiquimula.
Irons' relationship with writer Vita Sackville-West was well-known, although brief. Months before her death, an Evening Standard headline identified her as the war correspondent who "broke Vita's heart."
Irons was decorated with the French Croix de Guerre, a recognition of her bravery and exceptional journalism. Her trailblazing spirit paved the way for future generations of female war correspondents.
Evelyn Irons' remarkable life and career serve as a testament to her unwavering dedication to journalism and her unshakeable courage in the face of danger. Her groundbreaking work continues to inspire and empower women in the field, ensuring her legacy as a pioneering force in journalism.
Irons passed away on April 3, 2000, leaving behind a treasure trove of stories, experiences, and achievements that continue to captivate and inspire generations to come.
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