Ronald Gould

Sir Ronald Gould (9 October 1904 – 11 April 1986) was General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers in the United Kingdom from 1947–1970. He was the son of the Labour MP Frederick Gould.

Early life

He was born in Midsomer Norton, Somerset. His father, Frederick Gould, was a bootmaker who was later Labour MP of nearby Frome.

His mother, Emma Gay, had been a servant to the Monckton family at Clevedon; her duties including looking after their children including the young Sir Walter Monckton. In 1955 he received his knighthood.

Later life

He retired in 1970. In 1976, he published his autobiography. His wife Nellie died in 1979. He had two sons, Terence and Derek. Gould saw the importance of "establishing equality of opportunity" via free secondary education, greater access to higher education, the virtual abolition of selection and the introduction of comprehensive schools. Generally regarded as an effective leader, it has been suggested he was reluctant to support militancy amongst teachers, preferring to keep the membership of the union together.