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Elizabeth Eugenie Cowell

1912 – 1998

British broadcaster

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About Elizabeth Eugenie Cowell

Lived 1912 – 1998 (aged 85–86). Elizabeth Eugenie Cowell was a British journalist and television presenter.

Elizabeth Cowell (1912–1998) was a British broadcaster and television announcer.

She was one of the first three BBC Television Service presenters, along with Jasmine Bligh and Leslie Mitchell. She began announcing when the Television Service started in 1936 and made her debut on Monday 31 August that year at Alexandra Palace in London. This was a few months before the official launch of BBC Television on 2 November 1936.

She worked as a driver for the Air Ministry early during World War II before she returned to the BBC.

She returned in 1946 after its nearly seven-year hiatus due to the Second World War. Cowell was the voice of 'the Woman' on the soundtrack of Paul Rotha's documentary Land of Promise (1946).

When BBC television started broadcasting again in 1946 Cowell was married to the laird of a Scottish estate and had left the BBC.

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Important facts

Born
1912
Birth century
Died
1998
Also known as
Elizabeth Cowell, Elizabeth Balfour

People in Elizabeth Eugenie Cowell's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Elizabeth Eugenie Cowell's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Elizabeth Eugenie Cowell?

British broadcaster

When was Elizabeth Eugenie Cowell born?

Elizabeth Eugenie Cowell was born in 1912.

When did Elizabeth Eugenie Cowell die?

Elizabeth Eugenie Cowell died in 1998.

What was Elizabeth Eugenie Cowell's occupation?

Elizabeth Eugenie Cowell was a journalist and television presenter.

What nationality was Elizabeth Eugenie Cowell?

Elizabeth Eugenie Cowell was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Elizabeth Eugenie Cowell

· Wikidata: Q5362629

· DBpedia: Elizabeth Cowell

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Elizabeth Eugenie Cowell. https://biography.guide/elizabeth-eugenie-cowell/

MLA: "Elizabeth Eugenie Cowell." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/elizabeth-eugenie-cowell/.

Chicago: "Elizabeth Eugenie Cowell." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/elizabeth-eugenie-cowell/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-24 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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