The author of the famous Beveridge Report (1942), a comprehensive scheme of social insurance which has been the basis of much subsequent welfare legislation, was born in India of Scottish descent. He was director of the London School of Economics (1919-37).
Beveridge was appointed first Chairman of the Aycliffe Development Corporation in 1946 and served until 1953. He regarded this period as the happiest of his life. From 1951 Beveridge lived at 1 Bede Crescent, a standard New Town house and here wrote much of his autobiography Power and Influence .
He had become a peer in 1946 and took the title of Lord Beveridge of Tughall. When Liberal MP for Berwick 1944-46, he had lived at Tughall Hall. He apparently regarded Carrycoats Hall in that county as a second home, and was leasing Bavington Hall from the Shafto family there when he died. Beveridge and his wife are buried in the churchyard at Thockrington, nearby.